Authorities in Yemassee, South Carolina, searched for at least 43 monkeys that escaped from a local research facility, according to media reports.

Residents have been advised to secure their windows and doors to prevent the animals from entering their homes.

The escape occurred at Alpha Genesis, a business specialising in nonhuman primate products and bio-research services.

In response to the situation, police and animal control teams have set traps in the vicinity where the monkeys are believed to be hiding. They are also employing thermal imaging cameras to aid in locating the primates.

The Yemassee Sheriff’s Department issued a warning urging community members to take precautions as the search continues.

The Yemassee Police Department has urged anyone who encounters one of the escaped monkeys to call 911 immediately.

Police Chief Gregory Alexander emphasised the importance of not attempting to capture or keep the animals, stating that such actions are illegal and could result in felony charges.

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Alpha Genesis, the research facility from which the monkeys escaped, is known for conducting trials involving primates.

It claims to be one of the largest dedicated nonhuman primate facilities in the United States, housing over 6,000 monkeys.

While the Sheriff’s Department has not disclosed the specific species of the escaped monkeys, Alpha Genesis primarily works with capuchin and macaque monkeys, according to their website.