Authorities in South Carolina are working to locate 43 rhesus macaque monkeys that escaped from a research facility.
The monkeys ran out of the research facility named Alpha Genesis after a keeper accidentally left their enclosure door open.
The young female monkeys weigh about 7 pounds each, and are reportedly “skittish,” making them challenging to capture.
Residents Advised To Stay Away
Residents have been advised to keep doors and windows secured and to report any sightings without approaching the animals.
“Please do not attempt to approach these animals under any circumstances,” the police warned residents.
The police have set traps and have been using thermal imaging cameras to capture the monkeys.
Greg Westergaard, CEO of Alpha Genesis, told CBS News that monkeys would come back as they would find “no apples which are what they really like.”
Heavy rain is making the rescue efforts challenging but Westergaard hopes the monkeys will come back.
