One of 43 monkeys kept for medical research that escaped from a compound in South Carolina was rescued unharmed, authorities announced Saturday.
Many of the others are still several yards from the facility, jumping or jumping over the facility's fence, police said.
Officials said the rhesus macaques were given a break on Wednesday after employees at the Alpha Genesis facility in Yamasee did not fully lock the doors when feeding or checking on them.
On Friday, the monkeys were exploring the fence outside the Alpha Genesis property and chirping at the monkeys inside.
The primates continued to socialize with their mates at the facility Saturday, a positive sign, police said in a statement.
AlphaGenesis CEO Greg Westergaard said in a statement that efforts to recover all animals will continue through the weekend and as long as necessary.
A monkey is about the size of a cat. All females weigh about 7 pounds.
AlphaGenesis, federal health officials and police all said the monkeys pose no risk to public health. The facility breeds monkeys and sells them to medical and other researchers.
alpha genesis The company supplies primates for research around the world at its facility in Yemassee, about 80 miles northeast of Savannah, Georgia, according to its website.
