The last of the escaped South Carolina lab monkeys have been recovered

The last of the 43 monkeys that escaped from a South Carolina research facility late last year have been recovered, according to the local police department, putting an end to a dramatic saga that launched a small town into the national spotlight.

The female rhesus macaques made their escape from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in Yemassee, S.C., in early November, surviving an uncharacteristically brutal winter outside the facility.

By mid-November, Yemassee police reported that said 39 of the primates had been humanely trapped and returned to the lab, leaving just a handful of the playful primates still outside the property’s fences.

After the final monkeys’ recovery, Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard told authorities that the animals appeared to be in good health despite months spent outdoors.

Police had described the animals as very young and weighing between six and seven pounds.

According to its website, Alpha Genesis breeds and researches primates for purposes including vaccine development and experimental surgical procedures.

The monkeys had never been used for testing due to their young age and they didn’t carry the risk of transmitting diseases to humans, police said.

 

A rare ‘parade’ of all 7 planets will move across the night sky this week

This phenomenon known as a "planet parade," will feature Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune all present at the same time along a line in the night sky on Friday, NASA says.

How Trump’s crackdown plays into misperceptions about immigrants and crime

The White House portrays its immigration crackdown as a success. Critics say the administration is trying to look tough for the cameras, and worry about the "tail wagging the dog."

How tariffs are (and aren’t) the new ‘infrastructure week’

Little about how Trump discusses tariffs is normal — not only because he threatens tariffs on a weekly, even daily, basis, but also because it's often unclear if or when those tariffs will happen.

Curious about exploring your spirituality? Ask yourself these 4 questions

You don't need to be religious to create a meaningful connection to something greater than yourself. If you're interested in examining that relationship, grab a pen and paper and answer these prompts.

The FDIC’s goal is to prevent another banking crisis. It’s now also a Trump target

President Trump's sweeping cuts to the federal government are also threatening a key banking watchdog.

Language as protagonist in Cristina Rivera Garza’s newly translated novel

Pulitzer winner Cristina Rivera Garza offers new perspective on gender violence through a murder mystery and poetry.

More Front Page Coverage