Federal official say monkeys from a research facility on an Albuquerque Air Force base nearly escaped six times last year.
The Albuquerque Journal reports U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors found the monkeys had gotten loose in the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute on Kirtland Air Force Base. The report says the animals had to be lured back into cages with food, among other recapture methods.
A March USDA report says escapes pose safety risks for personnel and animals.
New training and lock systems were implemented after a male rhesus broke the lock on his cage in October of last year. Staff members had to dart the animal.
The lab was fined $21,750 in 2011 for Animal Welfare Act violations.
Lab officials say the inspections helped the institute to improve practices.
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