Authorities in South Carolina warned residents to lock their doors and windows after 40 monkeys escaped from a research center Wednesday evening.
The primates broke away from an Alpha Genesis facility in Beaufort County and traps have been set and thermal cameras are being used to try to locate the runaway monkeys, Yemassee police said in a statement.
“Residents are strongly advised to keep doors and windows secure to prevent these animals from entering homes,” police said. “If you spot any of the animals running away, please contact 911 immediately and avoid approaching them.”
According to its website, Alpha Genesis breeds monkeys and provides “non-human primate products and bio-research services” around the world. The company’s clinical trials would include research into progressive brain disorders.
Authorities have not identified the breed of the escaped primates, but the company’s website says its team of veterinary technicians and animal specialists work with cynomolgous, rhesus and capuchin monkeys.
The Yemassee Police Department said several officers worked with Alpha Genesis staff to capture the primates.
The Post and Courier newspaper reported last year that Alpha Genesis won a federal contract to oversee a colony of 3,500 rhesus monkeys on South Carolina’s Morgan Island, known as “Monkey Island.”
The newspaper reported that monkeys have already escaped from Alpha Genesis. Eight years ago, 19 primates escaped from the company’s facilities but were recaptured about six hours later.
Last year in Pennsylvania, dozens of laboratory monkeys escaped after a truck carrying 100 animals crashed. All primates were later taken into account.
