A laboratory in the US city of Yemassee, South Carolina, recovered more than 20 monkeys out of 43 that escaped there on Wednesday. The animals were caught and did not suffer any injuries.
On Sunday, Yemassee police reported that they had captured 24 king macaques. Earlier on Saturday, it was reported that one animal of this species had been caught. There are still 18 monkeys left in the wild in the forested region around the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center, out of the 43 that escaped.
King macaque monkeys are bred in a laboratory for medical research. They are the size of a cat and weigh about three kilograms. They managed to Wednesday run away because an employee of the center did not close the door securely during feeding.
The search continues
Since their escape, the monkeys have been exploring the facility's outer fence, communicating with the monkeys remaining inside. After capture, veterinarians tested the monkeys and, according to initial reports, they are in good health, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard said efforts to recover all the monkeys will continue as long as necessary.
Center officials, U.S. health authorities and police say the monkeys do not pose a threat to public health. Alpha Genesis supplies them for research in laboratories around the world.
King macaque – photo illustrativeShutterstock
Main photo source: Shutterstock