YEMASSEE, S.C. — Yemassee police say they are working to locate over 40 primates that have escaped from a research facility in South Carolina.
Police say the 43 primates escaped from the Alpha Genesis facility on Castle Hall Road in Yemassee just before 1 p.m. Wednesday. Police said they were Rhesus macaque primates. In an update Thursday, none had been captured.
The primates are described as "very young females" that weigh approximately 6 to 7 pounds. The animals hadn't been used for testing due to their age and size, and Yemessee Police said Thursday they were too young to carry disease.
According to the company's Facebook page, “Alpha Genesis provides mission-critical research and development support to the scientific community."
Alpha Genesis told police they had eyes on the animals and were working to entice them with food. They warn the public not to come near the area because they are skittish and a loud noise could prevent them from being captured safely.
Police had earlier said night traps were set up around the area, and the police and the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department utilized thermal imaging cameras in an attempt to locate the animals.
Authorities ask anyone who sees the primates to not approach or attempt to interact with them. Instead, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Yemassee is a small town in Beaufort and Hampton counties in South Carolina's Lowcountry.