Alpha Genesis
Alpha Genesis is a company in Yemassee, South Carolina that breeds cynomolgous, rhesus and capuchin monkeys and sells the animals for use in research. Led by CEO Greg Westergaard,[1] the company is one of the largest of its kind in the world.[2] It is a Class B dealer according to the United States Department of Agriculture.[3] Several monkey escapes have occurred at its facilities since 2014. In 2024, 43 monkeys escaped from its research center, making international headlines.
History
[edit]26 animals escaped from an Alpha Genesis facility in 2014, prompting a fine of over $12,000 from the Department of Agriculture.[4] In 2015, an inspection report wrote of issues with the monkeys' primary enclosures; one cynomologus macaque monkey's cage had been closed with a clip instead of a lock.[3] In 2016, 19 animals evaded security at Alpha Genesis for six hours before they were captured.[4]
In September 2022, Alpha Genesis was fined over a "critical" issue with its housing facilities as a result of six separate incidents of animals opening or escaping their primary enclosures, including at least 11 animals from two separate groups escaping "through weaknesses in the chain link fences of their primary enclosure", and six other monkeys opening the panels between their cages. Westergaard has stated that the monkeys did not leave the property and were recaptured "pretty quickly". Three of the animals needed veterinary care afterward.[3]
From February 2023 to May 2024, Alpha Genesis had no issues according to inspection records.[3] In March 2023, the company took over management of a large colony of monkeys Morgan Island, South Carolina, commonly referred to as "Monkey Island".[4] The island is owned by the U.S. government which imported its original monkeys.[5]
Eight years prior to the 2024 monkey breakout, 19 primates escaped for several hours before being recaptured.[1] Inspections have found violations at the breeding facility.[2] In 2024 there were more than 6,700 monkeys at its Yemassee facility.[1]
2024 monkey escape
[edit]On November 6, 2024, after feeding 50 young female rhesus macaques at Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in Yemassee, South Carolina, a caretaker failed to latch the double doors to their enclosure. As a result, 43 of the monkeys escaped from the enclosure in what Westergaard called a "mad dash". Yemasse residents were instructed to keep their doors closed, though were assured that they posed no threat as they were unlikely to be aggressive, and did not pose an infectious disease threat as they were too young to undergo clinical testing. To catch the monkeys, officials laid out traps with fresh fruit and vegetables,[6] as well as police infrared cameras.[1] By November 10, 25 of the monkeys had been recaptured,[7] and 35 had been recaptured by November 15 with more seen in the woods adjacent to the research facility.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Sang, Lucia Suarez; Smith, Stephen (November 8, 2024). "What we know after 43 monkeys escaped a South Carolina research facility". CBS News.
- ^ a b Black, Mitchell; Wade, Jessica (November 6, 2024). "Great primate escape: Dozens of monkeys on lam from Lowcountry breeding facility". Post and Courier.
- ^ a b c d Smith, Patrick; Mullen, Austin; Madani, Doha (November 12, 2024). "Police hunt 43 monkeys that escaped from a South Carolina research facility". NBC News. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c Bartelme, Tony; McCray, Shamira (March 30, 2023). "Alpha Genesis lands new contract tor breed monkeys on Morgan Island". Post and Courier. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Waters, Dustin (February 10, 2016). "A look at South Carolina's very own Monkey Island". Charleston City Paper.
- ^ Rosenbluth, Teddy (November 7, 2024). "A Door Is Unlocked, and 43 Monkeys Make a Bid for Freedom". The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ Ruberg, Sara (November 10, 2024). "25 Escaped Monkeys of 43 Are Captured in South Carolina". The New York Times. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Betts, Anna (November 15, 2024). "Curious case of the missing monkeys turns spotlight on South Carolina lab". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved November 18, 2024.