Monkeys That Escaped South Carolina Lab Captured After Lengthy Search

Authorities have successfully captured the last of the 43 research monkeys that escaped from a South Carolina laboratory, ending weeks of uncertainty surrounding their whereabouts. The Alpha Genesis facility, located in Beaufort County, confirmed that the remaining primates were safely recovered and are now back at the research center.

The monkeys, all young female rhesus macaques, managed to escape in November when a door was reportedly left open by an employee. They quickly spread out into the wooded areas near the facility, prompting local authorities to advise residents to remain vigilant and report any sightings.

Efforts to capture the animals involved security teams using food incentives, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, to lure the monkeys back. The final four were located after enduring weeks of inclement weather, including rare snowfall for the region.

Greg Westergaard, CEO of Alpha Genesis, assured the public that the monkeys are in good health following their return. However, animal rights advocates remain concerned about the conditions they will face now that they are back in the lab. Kathleen Conlee of the Humane Society of the United States has criticized the use of primates in medical research, urging the industry to transition to more humane alternatives.

Alpha Genesis has faced scrutiny in the past, having been cited multiple times by federal regulators for previous escape incidents and animal welfare violations. In one instance, 26 monkeys escaped and were on the run for days before being recovered.

The research facility specializes in breeding primates for medical studies and supplies research institutions worldwide with subjects for testing.

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