25 monkeys caught but more still missing after escape from research facility in SC

More than half of the monkeys that escaped a primate research facility last week in South Carolina have been recaptured, according to police.

Of the 43 monkeys that broke loose from Alpha Genesis, officials managed to recover 25 of them between Saturday and Sunday, leaving 18 of the animals still at large in Yemassee, a small town about 60 miles west of Charleston. The primates, a bare-faced species known as rhesus macaques, made a break for it Wednesday when a caretaker at the research center failed to lock the doors after a feeding.

Police in Yemassee said Sunday on Facebook that "a sizable group remains active" near the research center's fence line and had "bedded down in the trees for the night."

The post, which quoted Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard, said the company's recovery process "will continue until all animals are safely recovered."

43 monkeys on the loose:Animals escaped research facility in South Carolina

43 monkeys escape Alpha Genesis in SC

Since their escape, the monkeys have been spotted in trees among the woods surrounding the 100-acre Alpha Genesis facility.

Alpha Genesis, which houses about 5,00 monkeys of a variety of species at two South Carolina sites for biomedical studies and scientific research, has identified the animals as young rhesus macaques females weighing no more than 7 pounds.

The company, along with law enforcement, has been baiting the primates with food.

The monkeys that escaped have not yet been used for testing due to their size and young age, and do not pose a risk to the public since they are too young to carry disease, according to Alpha Genesis.

Still, the town’s 2,200 residents have been asked to keep their doors and windows closed. Anyone who spots the monkeys are warned against approaching the "skittish" animals and are asked to instead call 911, according to police.

25 recaptured monkeys are 'in good health'

The first monkey was caught Saturday, followed by the recapture of 24 others on Sunday, Yemassee police said. Officials have not said where the monkeys have been recovered.

Veterinarians who have evaluated the animals have their capture have indicated that the the recovered monkeys were 'in good health,' according to police.

The department's Facebook post also urged residents not to fly drones in the area after a recent incident "led to the primates becoming spooked, which not only increased their stress but also complicated efforts for their safe return."

Not first time monkeys escape Alpha Genesis

This is not the first time monkeys have escaped Alpha Genesis.

In 2016, 19 monkeys escaped from Alpha Genesis and were captured almost six hours later, according to The Post and Courier.

Two years prior to that, 26 monkeys escaped in December 2014 and were recaptured within two days. The company was later fined $12,600 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for failures to contain the animals.

Contributing: Saman Shafiq, Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com