18 Monkeys Still Loose After SC Facility Escape

In Yemassee, South Carolina, 43 rhesus macaque monkeys escaped from the Alpha Genesis research facility after an employee failed to secure an enclosure. As of recent updates, 25 of the monkeys have been recaptured, while 18 remain on the loose near the facility's perimeter. The monkeys are all young females, each weighing around 7 pounds, posing no public health risk as they are too young to carry diseases. Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard stated that recovery efforts will persist until all animals are safely returned, employing humane traps and baiting with food. Residents have been advised to secure their homes and report any sightings to authorities, avoiding direct interaction due to the monkeys' skittish nature. The facility has faced past incidents of escapes, leading to fines from the US Department of Agriculture.