Authorities in South Carolina on Thursday warned residents to lock their doors and windows after more than 40 monkeys escaped from a research facility.
The primates broke loose from a Alpha Genesis facility in Beaufort County and traps have been set up and thermal imaging cameras are being used in an effort to locate the fugitive monkeys, the Yemassee Police Department said in a statement.
In an update posted Thursday, police confirmed 43 rhesus macaque primates escaped and none had been captured as of early afternoon. Authorities said the primates were “very young females weighing approximately 6-7 lbs” and had never been used for testing due to their age.
The Yemassee Police Department said multiple officers were working with Alpha Genesis personnel to recapture the primates.
“We want to assure the community that there is no health risk associated with these animals,” police said in its update Thursday.
- 43 monkeys escape South Carolina research facility; police warn residents to secure doors and windows www.cbsnews.com/news/monkeys-escape-south-carolina-research-facility-police-search
