In a bizarre turn of events reminiscent of a thrilling movie plot, 43 rhesus monkeys have escaped from a lab in Yemassee, South Carolina, leaving residents on high alert. The police are actively searching for the primates, and local authorities are urging residents to secure their homes and avoid any encounters with these free-spirited escapees.

The Yemassee Police Department took to social media to inform the community about the surprising escape from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center, a facility that specializes in nonhuman primate products and bio-research services. According to their latest updates, none of the monkeys have been recaptured yet, and only time will tell how this unusual adventure unfolds.

While the thought of monkeys roaming free may evoke fears of illness or danger, law enforcement assures the public that these particular primates do not pose any health risks. The escaped monkeys are all young female rhesus macaques, each weighing around six pounds, and they have not been involved in any research that could endanger them or others with diseases. Despite this, authorities warn that residents should not approach the monkeys if they see them.

“Residents are strongly advised to secure all doors and windows to prevent these animals from entering your home,” the police department warned. “If you spot any of these escaped animals, please call 911 immediately and do not attempt to engage with them.”

Interestingly, this is not the first incident of monkey escapes from the Alpha Genesis Primate Center. Reports reveal that the facility has a troubling history, having experienced several primate escapes since 2014 and receiving multiple violations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture pertaining to these incidents.

The efforts to recapture the monkeys involve collaboration with the nearby sheriff’s office, agricultural officials, and the lab staff. Authorities are employing traps and utilizing thermal imaging to locate and safely retrieve the mischievous primates.

While it may be tempting to envision a cartoonish rescue involving a plumber with a striking red outfit, the situation is, in fact, being taken quite seriously by the authorities. The community remains hopeful for a swift resolution to this unusual primate predicament. Stay tuned for updates as the story unfolds, and keep your eyes peeled—you never know when you might spot a runaway in your neighborhood!