(GoRealNewsNow.com) – In a bizarre escape case, over 40 rhesus monkeys have managed to run away from a South Carolina research facility, raising concerns about animal welfare and the oversight of research institutions.
See a photo of rhesus monkeys and a news report video on the case in the tweets below!
The incident draws attention to the ethical implications of using live animals in scientific studies and the need for stricter regulatory frameworks.
On November 6, in Yemassee, South Carolina, an oversight allowed 43 rhesus macaque monkeys to break free from Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center.
The escape occurred when a door was mistakenly left open during enclosure cleaning.
Residents are being urged to keep homes secured and notify authorities if they spot any monkeys.
Authorities have employed traps and thermal imaging cameras to track down the young female monkeys, weighing just 6-7 lbs.
Described as being “too young to carry disease,” these monkeys pose no health threat to the public, according to a spokesperson from Alpha Genesis.
Yemassee Police, working closely with Alpha Genesis and other local agencies, have emphasized cooperation from the community, which is crucial for a safe resolution.
“There is almost no danger to the public,” said Yemassee Police Chief Gregory Alexander, highlighting the collaborative efforts to ensure the safety of both the animals and local residents.
“Residents are strongly advised to keep doors and windows secured to prevent these animals from entering homes,” added the Yemassee Police Department, cited by CBS News.
This escape is not unprecedented for Alpha Genesis, with similar incidents recorded in previous years.
In addition to being a major supplier of non-human primate models for biomedical research, a federal contract secured in 2023 entrusted them with overseeing a large breeding colony on Morgan Island.
The frequency of such escapes raises serious questions about the facility’s ability to maintain control and ensure proper animal welfare.
The animal rights group Stop Animal Exploitation Now has called for a USDA inspection following this latest escape.
The ethical quandaries of using live animals for research demand attention, as does ensuring rigorous oversight in such facilities to prevent future incidents.
Alpha Genesis maintains CDC registration as a nonhuman primates importer, affirming it meets necessary standards.
However, amid ongoing discussions regarding animal rights and welfare, officials and activists alike stress the need for robust ethical frameworks governing animal research.
In other news, 43 monkeys have escaped from a research facility in South Carolina and no one has been able to capture them. That’s probably not good, right? https://t.co/EXCgyenWCW
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) November 7, 2024
🚨#BREAKING: Officials are urgently searching for 40 Rhesus monkeys that escaped from bio-research lab
📌#Yemassee | #SouthCarolina⁰
Currently an urgent search is underway as authorities report that 40 to 43 rhesus monkeys escaped from a research bio-lab facility in the… pic.twitter.com/lSDmhnyIrm— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 7, 2024
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