Several dozen monkeys escaped from a research center in South Carolina, USA, which was conducting clinical studies on animals.
Police in Yemassee, Beaufort County, said 40 animals escaped from Alpha Genesis. That company works with monkeys for clinical trials, including treatments for brain disorders. Law enforcement officials did not specify the breed of the escaped monkeys, but the company’s website states that it works with macaques and capuchins, according to NBC News. Police have set traps and are using thermal imaging cameras to capture the animals. Anyone who finds a monkey is asked not to interact with it and call 911.
“Residents are urged to leave doors and windows secured to prevent these animals from entering their homes,” the Yemassee Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
It is not known what tests the fugitive monkeys took part in or if they have any medical conditions. Alpha Genesis previously held a federal contract to maintain a colony of 3,500 monkeys on Morgan Island off the coast of South Carolina, known as Monkey Island. The company also says it has one of the largest and most complete facilities in the US for non-human primates.
Interestingly, this is not the first time this has happened. The escapes of primates from the area took place several times, especially in May of this year. Another incident took place in 2016, when 19 individuals escaped and were caught within six hours.
