Using laboratory barrels, the primates got free.
Four baboons escaped from the Texas Institute of Biomedical Research, placing a blue 208-liter barrel in front of the corral. Gizmodo reporters talked to the lab to find out how this happened.
The first question from reporters was about experiments on the intelligence of monkeys. Experts assured that they did not conduct any experiments on animals related to enhancing their mental abilities. Lisa Cruz, associate vice president for communications at the institute, explained:
“No, they are very intelligent animals. Their natural inclination is to get to the highest place in the area. These baboons are needed for breeding, they sit in the paddock until we figure out what kind of research they will come in handy."
The open-air aviary was erected 35 years ago. Over the years, laboratory workers have had no problems with the animals contained in it. Usually inside there were several concrete pipes and structures that primates climbed up. Six months ago, scientists added blue barrels in which the grain was stored for baboons to roll them around and thus get food. Instead, however, one baboon rolled her up to the fence, set her upright, climbed onto her and jumped over the fence. Three other monkeys followed suit. One of them immediately returned to the pen of her own free will. The rest of the trio were detained in the next half hour by the animal control team.
The Texas Institute for Biomedical Research contains about two and a half thousand animals, including 1,100 baboons. Institutional staff use mammals to test vaccines and drugs.
Alexey Evglevsky
Promotional video: