Animal Rights Groups Call Monkeys and Humans at Risk

Animal rights groups have called the escaped monkeys potentially dangerous to the health of South Carolinians.

Several animal rights groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), have issued statements about the safety of the monkeys and the risks to the public.

A Nov. 7 PETA statement alleged that "monkeys in U.S. laboratories routinely have outbreaks of tuberculosis, MRSA, bacterial pathogens that can cause dysentery, herpes B, simian retroviruses, highly pathogenic E. coli, malaria, Chagas, Listeria, and more."

Calling for Alpha Genesis to be defunded and shut down, the PETA statement added, "Deprived of all that matters to them, these monkeys were leading a miserable existence—and now the 43 scared, cold, and hungry monkeys are on the loose. The monkey experimentation industry has consistently failed to improve human health, and instead, their actions continue to put the public at risk."

On Nov. 8, PETA primate scientist Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel alleged that Alpha Genesis has a history of health and animal welfare violations and released a follow-up statement, adding that "Alpha Genesis’ public statements about the escaped monkeys are putting residents of South Carolina at risk and are in direct contrast to what authorities have recently seen at the company’s facility. These young rhesus macaques may not have been intentionally infected with viruses or bacteria in experiments yet, but like all monkeys caught up in the primate experimentation industry, they can carry pathogens that can sicken humans and other animals."

Animal rights groups are speaking out as Alpha Genesis and Yemassee-area officials continue efforts to recapture the balance of the 43 scientific research monkeys that escaped in Beaufort County last week.

The primates, described as small, young female Rhesus monkeys, escaped from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center on Castle Hall Road, just outside of the Hampton County town of Yemassee, on Nov. 6.

The escape, caused by a caretaker failing to secure a door, has made international headlines and prompted a multi-agency response from law enforcement and wildlife officials. As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard has confirmed to Yemassee officials the successful recovery of an additional 24 primates, bringing the number recovered to 25 after one monkey was captured earlier on the weekend.

Alpha Genesis officials say they are continuing their efforts to recapture the remaining escaped primates using safe traps baited with food.

"A sizable group remains active along the fence line and at this time have bedded down in the trees for the night," Westergaard announced Sunday. "Veterinarians have been diligently conducting thorough wellness exams throughout the day. Initial reports from the veterinary team indicate that all recovered animals are in good health.”

Westergaard noted that the recovery process is slow, but the team is committed to taking as much time as necessary to recover all remaining animals safely.

We thank the public for their cooperation in avoiding the area and kindly ask that drones not be used in the vicinity. We appreciate the community's ongoing patience and concern."

Drones can frighten the animals and elevate their stress levels. A recent incident involving a drone spooked the primates, which not only increased their stress but also complicated efforts for their safe return, said Westergaard.

The animals continue to engage with their companions inside the facility, which is encouraging, say officials.

If you spot any remaining primates, please report your sighting by calling 911 and do not approach or interact with them.

While Alpha Genesis officials have stated that there is no threat to public safety and even claimed that the escaped animals were "too young" to carry diseases, PETA disputes those claims.

"...These 43 monkeys made a break for freedom and deserve to live out the rest of their lives safely. Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in Texas has contacted Alpha Genesis, offering to work with it to provide the animals with a suitable home."

Officials with Animals Wellness Action and The Center for a Humane Economy issued a statement renewing their call to Congress to approve legislation such as the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act 3.0 that would further restrict or end animal testing.

“The animal-testing industry and the FDA are clinging to the use of primates for drug screening even though the animals are enormously expensive to purchase and maintain and are not reliable in predicting human reactions to experimental drugs,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy. “It is past due for FDA and the pharmaceutical industry to embrace 21st-century strategies built on human-based biology and leave the costly, non-predictive animal models in the rearview mirror.”

“Animal testing is not only unreliable, but it also prolongs the search for effective treatments,” said Tamara Drake, director of research and regulatory affairs for the Center for a Humane Economy. “We must pivot towards animal-free methods that are scientifically valid and aligned with modern medical research.”