The recent escape of 43 rhesus macaque monkeys from a South Carolina research facility has sparked national attention—and for good reason. These young, intelligent primates were not meant to live their lives in cages. The incident highlights a critical choice: will these monkeys be returned to confinement, or will they be given the freedom and compassion they deserve?

The monkeys escaped from Alpha Genesis, a company that breeds primates for medical research. The escape occurred when a caretaker failed to secure an enclosure door, allowing the monkeys to flee into the wooded areas surrounding the facility¹. While 35 have been recaptured, eight remain at large².

Alpha Genesis claims the monkeys are “too young” to have been used in experiments³. But returning them to confinement ensures that they will likely be subjected to research in the future. These monkeys, like all sentient beings, deserve a life free from fear and exploitation.

A Troubling History of Negligence

This is not the first time primates have escaped from Alpha Genesis. In 2014, 26 monkeys fled the facility, and in 2016, another 19 escaped. Reports reveal a troubling history of inadequate enclosures, preventable animal injuries, and repeated USDA violations⁴. The company has received over $110 million in federal contracts since 2008⁵, yet these incidents persist, endangering both animals and the public.

The recent escape underscores a larger issue: the ethics of keeping intelligent, social creatures in confined and unnatural conditions. Rhesus macaques are highly adaptable, curious animals that thrive in complex environments—not sterile cages⁶.

A Call for Compassion and Humanity

Alpha Genesis now has an opportunity to make things right. Instead of returning these monkeys to a life of confinement, they can release them to a sanctuary where they can live with dignity, care, and freedom. Sanctuaries provide these primates with the chance to form social bonds, explore natural surroundings, and live as they were meant to—free from exploitation.

Choosing compassion is not just about these 43 monkeys; it’s about setting a precedent for how animals are treated in research facilities across the country. A decision to release them would send a powerful message that science and ethics can coexist.

Join the Call for Change

We must act now to ensure these monkeys are not returned to a life of captivity. Time is of the essence. The Alpha Genesis CEO has the power to give these monkeys the life they deserve—but it’s up to us to demand it.

Sign the petition today and stand with us in calling for the release of these 43 monkeys to a reputable sanctuary. Together, we can ensure a better future for these intelligent, sentient beings.

More on this issue:

1. Lucia Suarez Sang, Stephen Smith, CBS News (14 November 2024), "What We Know After 43 Monkeys Escaped a South Carolina Research Facility."
2. Zach Rainey, Stephanie Moore, WYFF4 (14 November 2024), "Monkeys Still on the Loose After Escape From Alpha Genesis Facility."
3. Anna Betts, The Guardian (15 November 2024), "Curious Case of the Missing Monkeys Turns Spotlight on South Carolina Lab."
4. Patrick Smith, Austin Mullen and Doha Madani, NBC News (7 November 2024), "Police Hunt 43 Monkeys That Escaped From a South Carolina Research Facility."
5. Michael M. DeWitt, Jr., Amaris Encinas, USA Today (14 November 2024), "SC Rep. Nancy Mace calls for federal probe of research facility after 43 monkeys escaped."
6. Ben Finley, Associated Press (8 November 2024), "Monkeys that escaped a lab are a species used for human research since the 1800s."