24 monkeys escape from Tulane Nat'l Primate Research Center

New Orleans CityBusiness, Mar 17, 2003 by Staff

When 24 monkeys escaped from the Tulane National Primate Research Center last week, Covington residents retained their sense of humor.

"People were calling me saying 'I'm going to the grocery store -- should I pick up oranges or bananas?' and 'I want a monkey in my back yard, too,'" said center Director Dr. Andrew Lackner. Primate center staff members were truly concerned about the monkeys' safety, Lackner said. But the primates were healthy and posed no threat to humans.

He said food eventually brought the rhesus macaques back home after more than one lock on the corral had been left open by an employee Tuesday, which gave the curious primates a chance to explore the outside world. Five of the corral roommates stayed behind while the others ventured. By 6 p.m. Wednesday, all monkeys were accounted for, Lackner said.

"They eventually just wanted to go back home," Lackner said. "They saw the other guys and the food and that was where they wanted to be."