On Thursday, November 7th, South Carolina police told residents to lock their doors and windows after 43 monkeys escaped a research facility due to a door not being locked.

Authorities in Yemassee, Beaufort County, confirmed that primates were in a wooded area surrounding the Alpha Genesis facility, in a rural area on the edge of Yemassee. Authorities are currently setting up traps and thermal cameras in the area in an attempt to capturing the monkeys.

According to CBS News, “The staff at Alpha Genesis are currently attempting to entice the animals back using food in order to ensure their safe capture,” Authorities stated (Smith, November 8th).

Greg Westergaard, the CEO of Alpha Genesis said that the monkeys are staying close to the facility, playing with each other.

Westergaard stated, “It’s kind of like a playground situation here ” (Smith, November 8th).

Police said that the primates are very young females, only weighing 6 to 7 lbs. Staff at Alpha Genesis stated that the monkeys were too young to carry diseases, however it is unclear whether they can be capable of contracting a disease or if they just haven’t been introduced to clinical trials yet.

Locals are recommended to lock all windows and doors and to not interact with the monkeys and call 911 as soon as possible. NBC reports, “‘These animals are highly sensitive and easily startled, we recommend that the public avoid the area to prevent frightening them further,’ police said” (Smith and Mullen, November 8th).