Rhesus monkey escape prompts safety warnings in South Carolina
More than 40 rhesus monkeys have escaped from a research facility in Yemassee, South Carolina, run by Alpha Genesis, a company specialising in biomedical research on primates. Authorities advise residents to keep their doors and windows shut and avoid contact with the animals. These monkeys are utilised in medical research due to their genetic resemblance and structural similarities to humans.
Yemassee police reported that 43 young female rhesus monkeys managed to escape from their enclosures at the Alpha Genesis facility. The company's director, Greg Westergaard, informed CBS News that the escape occurred because their caretaker failed to secure the doors properly. The local police have instructed Yemassee residents to remain indoors and exercise extreme caution, as the monkeys are skittish and difficult to catch. Additional interactions with humans could alarm them further.
Animals escaped from research facility
"Residents [ed. Yemassee] are urged to securely fasten their doors and windows and to immediately report any sightings by calling 911. We advise against approaching these animals under any circumstances," the Yemassee Police Department announced on Facebook.
The escapees are reportedly young females weighing approximately 2 to 3 kg, not used in medical tests due to their age and size. A spokesperson for Alpha Genesis confirmed that these rhesus monkeys are too young to carry diseases. The animals are believed to be in the wooded area surrounding the facility. Alpha Genesis employees are currently attempting to lure the monkeys back using food.
Alongside rhesus monkeys, the American research company's facility also breeds capuchins and crab-eating macaques. Alpha Genesis uses them for various studies, including vaccine development, drug therapies, pharmacokinetics, viral pathogenesis, and experimental surgeries. The company states on its website that its work supports government, academic, and private projects, aiming to advance research on diseases and treatments that can enhance human health.
Alpha Genesis also stresses that it maintains high standards of animal care, complying with the United States Department of Agriculture regulations and the American Animal Welfare Act. AAALAC also accredited the facility (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care).
Monkeys in medical research
Monkeys are used in research where other animals, such as rodents, do not meet the research requirements, particularly in areas requiring advanced human disease models. This is due to their genetic resemblance and structural similarities to humans. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines were tested on macaques to evaluate their immune response.
Moreover, research on vaccines for diseases such as HIV or malaria has also required the use of monkeys due to the similarities of their immune systems to humans. Another example is the assessment of the toxicity and effects of new drugs, especially in the case of biotechnological therapies and anti-cancer drugs. Scientists turn to certain species of monkeys in this realm due to similar metabolic processes occurring in their bodies.
