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COLUMBIA, S.C. — More than half of the monkeys being raised for medical research that escaped from a South Carolina compound last week have now been rescued unharmed, officials said Sunday.

In this photo taken Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, a rhesus macaque monkey observes kayakers strolling along the Silver River in Silver Springs, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

24 monkeys were captured on Sunday, a day after another of the 43 escaped monkeys was rescued.

Police in Yemassee, about 50 miles northeast of Savannah, Georgia, said in a statement that a “large group” remained active along the compound’s fence line and spent the night sleeping in trees. Police said veterinarians examined the animals and initial reports showed they were all in good health.

Rhesus macaques took a break Wednesday after an employee at the Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee failed to lock the door fully while feeding and checking on them, officials said.

Since their escape, the apes have been exploring the outer fence of the Alpha Genesis compound, calling out to the apes inside. The primates continued to interact with their companions at the facility on Saturday, which police said was a positive sign.

Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard said efforts to save all the monkeys will continue as long as it takes.

Monkeys are about the size of a cat. They are all females weighing about 7 pounds (3 kilograms).

Alpha Genesis, federal health officials and police have said the monkeys pose no risk to public health. The facility raises monkeys to sell to medical and other researchers.

Alpha Genesis provides primates for research around the world at its campus in Yemassee, according to its website.

ORIGINAL STORY (PUBLISHED ON 11/7/24):

YEMASSEE, S.C. – Forty-three monkeys escaped from a compound used for medical research in South Carolina, but the nearby police chief said there was “virtually no danger” to the public.

“They have not contracted any disease. “They are harmless and a little skittish,” Yemassee Police Chief Gregory Alexander said Thursday morning.

Rhesus macaque primates escaped Alpha Creation Alexander said the incident occurred Wednesday when a new employee at the facility did not completely seal the enclosure.

Alexander said the company usually handles escapes on-site, but the monkeys wandered off the compound about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from downtown Yemassee.

“Handlers know them well and can usually get them back with fruit or a small treat,” Alexander told The Associated Press by phone.

But catching these fugitives takes a little more work. Alpha Genesis took the lead, setting traps and using thermal imaging cameras to recapture escaped monkeys, the chief said.

“There is virtually no danger to the public,” Alexander said.

People living nearby are required to close their windows and doors to prevent the monkeys from finding a place to hide inside, and if they see the primates, they should call 911 so company officials and police can catch them.

Alpha Genesis provides primates for research around the world from its campus about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Savannah, Georgia, according to its website. The company did not respond to an email about Wednesday’s escape.

In 2018, federal authorities fined Alpha Genesis $12,600 after an incident that resulted in dozens of primates escaping, as well as dehydration for several primates and other problems with how the monkeys were housed.

Officials said that 26 primates escaped from the Yemassee facility in 2104, and 19 more primates escaped in 2016.