43 Monkeys Escape South Carolina Research Facility

Source: Chinmayi Shroff / Getty

Several dozen monkeys are on the loose in Beaufort County, South Carolina.

The Yemassee Police Department says 43 Rhesus Macaques managed to break out of their enclosures at the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Facility.

“The Yemassee Police Department, in collaboration with Alpha Genesis, have initiated search teams to help locate the escaped primates. Alpha Genesis currently have eyes on the primates and are working to entice them with food,” police said in a statement.

Residents are urged to keep their doors closed and windows shut while crews work to track them down using traps and thermal-imaging cameras.

“The public is advised to avoid the area as these animals are described as skittish and any additional noise or movement could hinder their safe capture.”

The monkeys were mostly young females who were not used for testing due to their age and size.

Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard said the caretaker for the monkey accidentally left the door unsecured.

“It’s really like follow-the-leader. You see one go and the others go,” Westergaard said. “It was a group of 50 and seven stayed behind and 43 bolted out the door.”

Source: AP, People