(WCIV) — The United States Department of Agriculture confirms to News 4 Tuesday they are investigating reports of primate deaths at the Alpha Genesis biomedical research facility in Yemassee, South Carolina. This is the same facility that recently saw the escape of 43 rhesus macaques earlier this month. We have reached out to multiple agencies and sources to get more information on this story. A spokesperson for the department provided the following statement Tuesday morning: APHIS takes enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act seriously. We are aware of this situation and are following standard response protocols. Any resulting inspection reports will be posted on our public search tool. Visit our public search tool to access inspection and enforcement histories for all Animal Welfare Act licensees. Alpha Genesis’ certificate number is: 56-B-0120. In a follow up email later Tuesday morning, the department said the following in part: At this time, here’s what I can provide. I can confirm that we recently received a complaint with some detailed allegations and that we are reviewing them to determine whether there are Animal Welfare Act (AWA) noncompliances we need to follow up on. Animal rights nonprofit PETA claims a whistleblower alerted them to the death of 18 long-tailed monkeys due to a heater malfunction. The USDA has not confirmed the veracity of the alleged whistleblower report. Categories: News, State Tags: Alpha Genesis biomedical research facility, South Carolina, United States Department of Agriculture