The monkeys escaped from the laboratory. We know where they are hiding

43 king macaques are still at large after escaping from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in Yemassee. The local police department said the animals were located in the wooded region surrounding the facility.

– We recommend that residents secure doors and windows to prevent these animals from entering their homes – the police said in a statement.

Later, police also reported that the research center tried to lure the monkeys with food.

The service advises those who encounter missing monkeys to refrain from interacting with them and call the emergency number immediately. The escaped individuals are young females weighing up to three kilograms. As reported, they were not used for tests due to their age, and they do not transmit any diseases.

“They are described as very shy, congregating in groups,” said Yemassee City Administrator Matthew Garnes. Monkeys are not aggressive, but may become anxious due to hunger.

The facility's general manager, Greg Westergaard, told CNN that the animals escaped after the facility's caretaker failed to properly secure the door. He added that it was “100 percent human error.”

– We set up humane traps and saw these monkeys in the forest next to our property. We have people guarding the area where they were spotted, Westergaard added.

A similar incident occurred in 2018. By then, the lab had already been fined after other monkeys escaped.