Monkey chaos as dozens of primates escape South Carolina research center

Residents of a South Carolina town were advised to close their windows and doors after 43 rhesus macaques escaped from a testing facility on Thursday.

The warning came after the primates escaped from the Alpha Genesis facility on Castle Hall Road, the Yemassee Police Department (YPD) posted on social media.

“Residents are strongly advised to secure doors and windows to prevent these animals from entering their homes,” the department said.

An Alpha Genesis spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the monkeys were too young to transmit disease and said they were too young for testing.

THAILAND’S VIRAL HIPPO BABY MOO DENG PREDICTS TRUMP’S VICTORY

Alpha Genesis said traps were set in the area and police used thermal imaging cameras to locate the missing monkeys.

“Traps have been set in the area and Yemassee police are currently on scene using thermal imaging cameras to attempt to locate the animals,” the organization said.

Police and Alpha Genesis researchers stressed that locals should not approach any of the monkeys and instead contact 911 immediately if they are spotted. (Alpha Genesis)

In an update at 1 p.m. Thursday, the YPD said it was keeping an eye on the primates and was trying to lure them with food.

The father of the squirrel Peanut informs about the confiscation in New York in December: “I can’t do it without you”

The monkeys are said to weigh 6 to 7 pounds and are described by police as “hideous.”

Rhesus monkeys are native to Asia. (Md Rafayat Haque Khan/ Eyepix Group/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Alpha Genesis is responsible for the housing, feeding and veterinary care of monkeys at its main facility in Yemassee.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The facility houses around 6,500 animals.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Yemassee Police Department for comment.

For more lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle