YEMASSEE, S.C. — Yemassee Police updated the official count of the number of recovered primates Monday afternoon.
Around 5:40 p.m. November 11, officials say five primates were captured, bringing the total to 30 monkeys recovered of 43 that escaped from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research facility on November 6. Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard said all of the recovered primates appeared to be in good health.
Efforts will continue to safely capture the remaining 13 primates "as long as necessary," officials say.
In a 5 p.m. update on Sunday, the Yemassee Police Department confirmed that 25 of 43 primates that escaped from the Alpha Genesis research facility have been recovered and "a sizeable group" remains near the fence outside the facility. Some of these have also "bedded down" in the trees for the night, police said.
"Veterinarians have been diligently conducting thorough wellness exams throughout the day," police said. "Initial reports from the veterinary team indicate that all recovered animals are in good health."
"A significant number of the remaining primates are still located just a few yards from the property, jumping back and forth over the facility's fence," police said in the update.
In a previous update, police shared a message from Westergaard, who said efforts will continue to recover all the monkeys, which were previously confirmed to be rhesus macaques.
Police continued to urge the public to avoid the area around the facility because the monkeys could be startled easily. They also told the public not to use drones in the area because they could scare the escaped creatures—one incident on Friday allegedly did just that.
Alpha Genesis told police the monkeys pose no public health threat. However, police still urge residents who spot one of the remaining primates to contact 911 and avoid approaching them.
