Forty-three monkeys are on the loose in South Carolina after escaping from a research facility, sparking a massive search effort by local authorities. The primates, which were being held at a facility for scientific research purposes, managed to flee when a door was inadvertently left unsecured. The escape occurred earlier this week, and since then, teams of wildlife experts and law enforcement have been working together to track and capture the animals, which are believed to be non-native and potentially dangerous.
The escaped monkeys are a species used in biomedical research, and authorities are urging the public to remain cautious. While the animals are not typically aggressive, experts warn that wild monkeys can carry diseases and should not be approached. Local residents have been advised to report any sightings immediately.
The incident has raised questions about the security protocols at research facilities and the handling of animals used for experiments. Animal rights groups have expressed concern over the conditions in which the monkeys were being kept, while researchers and authorities are focused on safely recapturing the animals.
As of now, the authorities are hopeful that the remaining monkeys will be located and secured soon, but the situation continues to unfold, with search efforts intensifying across the area.
