Winston-Salem, NC-- A monkey that escaped from a Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center research facility in Davidson County has cost the hospital more than just time.
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center said it paid a $35,000 fine in January to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after reaching a settlement agreement with the agency.
Full list of events that lead to the fine
Hospital officials said this is the first time the Medical Center has been assessed fines for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
It took days to capture the monkey that escaped June 28 while its enclosure was being cleaned. The animal made contact with a latch, which opened the door of the enclosure.
The monkey was recovered, unharmed, on July 10, 2012, by Medical Center and county officials.
WFMY News 2/Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center