43 Young Monkeys Escape From Biolab in South Carolina

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Residents of Beaufort County, South Carolina, are being urged to lock their doors and windows after 43 young monkeys escaped from a local biomedical research facility.

The primates, described as skittish and weighing around six to seven pounds, slipped away when a caretaker failed to secure their enclosure. Authorities are working to recapture the animals, but concerns remain about their potential impact on the community.

Key Facts:

– 43 young rhesus macaque monkeys escaped from Alpha Genesis Primate Research facility in Beaufort County, SC.**
– The escape occurred when a caretaker accidentally left a door unsecured.
– Residents are advised to lock doors and windows and avoid approaching the animals.
– Authorities and the facility are collaborating to locate and recapture the monkeys.
– The monkeys are too young to carry diseases and have never been used in testing.

The Rest of The Story:

On Wednesday afternoon, a group of 43 young female rhesus macaque monkeys made an unexpected escape from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research facility in Beaufort County, according to the Daily Wire.

The incident happened when a caretaker accidentally failed to secure the door to their enclosure. The monkeys, each weighing about six to seven pounds, are described as skittish and have never been used for testing due to their age and size.

Local authorities, including the Yemassee Police Department, have issued warnings to residents to secure their homes and report any sightings to 911. “Residents are strongly advised to keep doors and windows secured to prevent these animals from entering homes,” the police stated.

The police and Alpha Genesis have formed search teams and are attempting to lure the primates back with food.

Greg Westergaard, CEO of Alpha Genesis, expressed his frustration over the situation, telling CBS News he is “hoping for a happy ending” with the monkeys returning on their own.

“It’s really like follow-the-leader,” Westergaard said. “You see one go and the others go. It was a group of 50 and 7 stayed behind and 43 bolted out the door.”

The facility specializes in breeding monkeys and providing nonhuman primate products and bio-research services to clients worldwide.

Commentary:

Haven’t we seen this plot before? A bunch of monkeys escape from a lab, and next thing you know, we’re living in a scene straight out of *28 Days Later*.

Let’s just hope these little escape artists aren’t harboring any world-ending viruses! While the experts assure us they’re too young to carry diseases, you can’t help but wonder if Hollywood’s been warning us all along.

Is it time to stock up on canned goods and barricade the doors? Probably not.

But if you spot a tiny primate eyeing your fruit bowl, maybe give 911 a call before we all find ourselves in the trailer of the next apocalyptic thriller.

The Bottom Line:

While the escape of 43 young monkeys from a South Carolina research facility has caused a stir, authorities and the facility’s staff are working diligently to ensure their safe return.

Residents are advised to stay vigilant and secure their homes, but there’s no cause for alarm.

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With efforts underway to recapture the skittish primates, the community can hope for a swift resolution to this unusual escapade.