Residents of a South Carolina town were advised to close their windows and doors Thursday after 43 rhesus macaques escaped from a testing facility.
The warning was issued after the primates escaped from the “Alpha Genesis facility on Castle Hall Road,” Imasi Police Department (YPD) posted on social media.
“Residents are strongly advised to securely close doors and windows to prevent these animals from entering their homes,” the ministry said.
An Alpha Genesis spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the monkeys were too young to carry the disease and said they were too young to be tested.
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Authorities in Yamassee, South Carolina, have warned residents in the town to “secure their doors and windows” after 43 rhesus macaques escaped from a nearby biomedical animal shelter. (Yemasee Police Station)
Alpha Genesis said traps have been set in the area and police are using thermal imaging cameras to locate the missing monkey.
“Traps have been set up in the surrounding area and Yemassi Police Station is currently on the scene using thermal imaging cameras to try to locate the animal,” the group said.
Police and AlphaGenesis researchers stressed that local residents should “refrain from approaching” the monkeys and call 911 immediately if they spot them. (Alpha Genesis)
In an update Thursday at 1 p.m., YPD said they are keeping an eye on the primate and are trying to lure it with bait.
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The monkey is said to weigh between 6 and 7 pounds and is described by police as “cranky.”
Rhesus monkeys are native to Asia. (Md Rafayat Haque Khan/Eyepix Group/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Alpha Genesis is responsible for the maintenance, feeding, and veterinary care of the monkeys at its main facility in Imassie.
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The facility houses approximately 6,500 animals.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Yemassee Police Department for comment.
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