(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – In a bizarre but significant fugitive case, a group of 43 rhesus monkeys has escaped a research facility in South Carolina, sparking intense discussions about animal welfare and ethical research practices.
See a photo of rhesus monkeys and a news report video on the case in the tweets below!
The dramatic incident at Alpha Genesis raises concerns about the conditions at such establishments and the transparency in animal testing.
Debates about balancing scientific advancements with humane treatment of animals are back in the spotlight.
On November 6, over 40 rhesus macaques escaped from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in Yemassee, South Carolina.
An employee accidentally left a door open while cleaning the monkeys’ enclosure, providing an opportunity for the young primates to make their getaway.
The escape has led to widespread public interest and scrutiny of the facility’s safety protocols.
The escaped monkeys, very young females weighing between 6-7 lbs each, have not yet been subjected to testing.
Authorities assert these monkeys pose no health risk to the public, as they are too young to carry disease, The New York Magazine reports.
The escape provided an unexpected, startling reminder of the possible risks involved in housing animals for scientific research.
Authorities have responded swiftly, setting traps and deploying thermal imaging cameras to locate the missing primates.
The Yemassee Police Department is working alongside Alpha Genesis staff to ensure the monkeys’ safe return.
In a testament to public vigilance, residents have been advised to keep doors and windows closed and to report sightings to 911.
“There is almost no danger to the public,” said official Gregory Alexander, cited by The New York Daily News.
This incident is not isolated; Alpha Genesis has dealt with similar escapes in 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Such incidents underscore the need for stringent oversight and robust safety measures for animal research facilities.
Alpha Genesis, one of the largest breeders of monkeys for medical testing, has been in the spotlight for its practices and previous escapes.
Animal rights group Stop Animal Exploitation Now has called for a USDA inspection following the escape.
This latest incident could prompt federal oversight into the practices and conditions at such facilities.
As these debates intensify, transparency and humane treatment are priorities that cannot be ignored.
Greg Westergaard, the CEO of Alpha Genesis, expressed his belief that the primates might return to the facility on their own, minimizing the concern about disease spread.
He stated, “I believed the monkeys would return to the facility on their own,” highlighting the facility’s confidence in its operations.
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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