YEMASSEE, S.C. (AP) — Two extra monkeys have been returned to the South Carolina compound that breeds the primates for medical analysis, authorities mentioned Tuesday.
Solely 11 of the 43 Rhesus macaques that escaped final week now stay exterior the Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee, police mentioned in an announcement.
Alpha Genesis officers advised police that the 2 monkeys captured Tuesday had been consuming peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and gave the impression to be in good well being.
A bunch of monkeys stays exterior the fence near traps arrange by the corporate within the woods across the compound. They are often heard cooing by the Alpha Genesis workers monitoring them, police mentioned.
In all, 32 monkeys have been returned to the compound since their escape on Nov. 6 after an worker didn’t absolutely lock an enclosure.
Alpha Genesis has mentioned that efforts to recuperate all of the monkeys will proceed for so long as it takes at its compound a couple of mile (1.6 kilometers) from downtown Yemassee and about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Savannah, Georgia.
The monkeys are concerning the measurement of a cat. They’re all females weighing about 7 kilos (3 kilograms).
People have been utilizing the monkeys for scientific analysis because the late 1800s. Scientists consider that Rhesus macaques and people break up from a standard ancestor about 25 million years in the past and share about 93% of the identical DNA.
The monkeys pose no threat to public well being, Alpha Genesis, federal well being officers and police have all mentioned. The power breeds the monkeys to promote to medical services and different researchers.
If folks encounter the monkeys, they’re suggested to steer clear of them — and to not fly drones within the space. The corporate mentioned they’re skittish and would possibly run away from the place they’re gathered.
Initially Revealed: November 12, 2024 at 7:04 PM EST
