Nancy Mace launches inquiry as some escaped monkeys in South Carolina remain at large

Republican South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace on Tuesday sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institute of Health (NIH), demanding a briefing on a case of monkeys that escaped from a South Carolina lab last week.

A total of 43 young rhesus macaque monkeys escaped from the Alpha Genesis lab on Thursday, which houses 6,500 animals. The monkeys are too young to be carrying any dangerous diseases, but residents were still encouraged to close their windows and doors anyways. Approximately 32 of the escaped monkeys have been returned to the lab as of Tuesday, per CBS News. Eleven remain uncaptured.

Mace said last week's incident was not the first time that the lab had been in trouble for public safety issues and animal welfare violations. 

“For years, Alpha Genesis has racked up federal contracts and taxpayer dollars while consistently violating animal welfare laws and exposing the public to dangerous escapes,” Mace said in a statement. “NIH and USDA need to step up and ensure South Carolinians don’t bear the risk of this lab's negligence.”

Mace said the company has received millions in federal funding since 2008, including $19 million this year "to breed, confine and experiment on primates at its facilities in South Carolina," yet oversight of the facility has been limited.

In the letter, Mace asked for a breakdown of active contracts and inspections with Alpha Genesis, communication between USDA, NIH, and Alpha Genesis regarding the escaped monkeys, and corrective actions that would "enhance oversight and safety at Alpha Genesis."

The letter comes as two monkeys were captured and returned to the lab on Tuesday. Both monkeys were in good health and were fed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches upon their return.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.