Research monkeys still having a ball days after busting out of lab, police say

In the event you want any inspiration for reducing free and enjoyable this weekend, look no additional than a free-wheeling troop of monkeys that broke out of their South Carolina analysis facility Wednesday and, as of midday Friday, had been nonetheless “playfully exploring” with their newfound freedom.

In an update Friday, the police division of Yemassee, SC mentioned that the 43 younger, feminine rhesus macaque monkeys are nonetheless staying across the perimeter of the Alpha Genesis Primate Analysis Facility. “The primates are exhibiting calm and playful habits, which is a optimistic indication,” the division famous.

The fun-loving furballs acquired free after a caretaker “didn’t safe doorways” on the facility.

Alpha Genesis workers have been maintaining a tally of the escapees, making an attempt to entice them again in with meals. However, as a substitute of taking the bait, the primates have been enjoying on the perimeter fence whereas nonetheless retaining in contact with the monkeys inside by cooing to them.

“They’re simply being goofy monkeys leaping forwards and backwards enjoying with one another,” Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard told CBS News Thursday. “It is type of like a playground scenario right here.”

Yemassee police notice that the monkeys are very younger and small—solely about 6 or 7 kilos every. They haven’t been used for any testing but, do not carry any illness, and pose no well being danger to the general public. Nonetheless, space residents have been suggested to maintain their doorways and home windows locked in case the wee primates attempt to pay a go to.

This is not the primary time—and even the second time—Alpha Genesis has had hassle retaining its monkeys underneath management. In 2018, the US Division of Agriculture fined the corporate $12,600 for violations between 2014 and 2016 that included four monkey breakouts. In these incidents, a complete of 30 monkeys escaped. One was by no means discovered.