COLUMBIA, S.C. — Officials reported on Sunday that more than half of the monkeys bred for biomedical research, which escaped from a facility in South Carolina the previous week, have now been successfully recaptured unharmed.

On Sunday, a total of 24 monkeys were recaptured, following the recovery of another monkey a day earlier, bringing the total recovered to 25 out of the 43 that had escaped. Officials noted that a “sizeable group” of monkeys still remained active along the compound’s perimeter, where they settled among the trees for the night, according to statements released by the authorities in Yemassee, located about 50 miles northeast of Savannah, Georgia. Veterinarians have been conducting health assessments on the monkeys, and initial evaluations indicate that they are in good condition, as reported by police.

The Rhesus macaques made their escape last Wednesday due to an employee at the Alpha Genesis facility failing to securely lock a door while tending to their feeding and care. Since their breakout, the monkeys have been seen exploring the outer fence of the compound and have been cooing to their companions still inside the facility. Authorities indicated that the interactions between the escaped monkeys and those remaining inside are a reassuring sign of their well-being.

Greg Westergaard, the CEO of Alpha Genesis, stated that efforts to recover all the monkeys will persist indefinitely until every last one is back safely. The monkeys, each roughly the size of a cat, are all females and weigh about 7 pounds (3 kilograms).

Both the Alpha Genesis facility, health officials, and law enforcement have confirmed that the monkeys pose no threat to public safety. The facility is dedicated to breeding monkeys for use in medical and scientific research purposes, and they provide primates for studies worldwide from their location in Yemassee.