43 primates on the loose in South Carolina town after escaping from research lab

Residents are "strongly" advised to support doors and windows securely closed.

At slightest 43 primates were connected nan loose Thursday successful a South Carolina municipality wherever authorities "strongly advised" residents to support their doors and windows locked aft nan animals escaped from a investigation laboratory.

"At this point, nary person been captured," nan Yemassee Police Department said successful a connection posted connected its Facebook page.

Traps were being group astir nan Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center successful Yemassee, wherever nan Rhesus Macaque monkeys escaped en masse astir 1 p.m. ET connected Wednesday, according to nan Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

Forty-three rhesus macaque monkey escaped from nan Alpha Genesis investigation laboratory Castle Hall Road successful Yemassee, South Carolina, Nov. 07, 2024.

Yemassee Police Department via Meta

Yemassee constabulary officers were searching for nan furry fugitives, which tin turn to up to 21 inches gangly and measurement 17 pounds, utilizing thermal imaging cameras, according to nan sheriff's office.

"Residents are powerfully advised to support doors and windows secured to forestall these animals from entering homes," nan sheriff's agency said. "If you spot immoderate of nan escaped animals, please interaction 911 instantly and refrain from approaching them."

Police said they are moving pinch unit of Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center to find nan escapees.

"We want to guarantee nan organization that location is nary wellness consequence associated pinch these animals," constabulary said.

Representatives of nan Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center could not beryllium instantly contacted for comment.

According to its website, Alpha Genesis "provides nan highest value nonhuman primate products and bio-research services world-wide," including serum, plasma, full humor and insubstantial samples.