Authorities in South Carolina warned residents to lock their doors and windows after 40 monkeys escaped from a research facility Wednesday night.

The primates broke loose from an Alpha Genesis facility in Beaufort County, and traps were set and thermal cameras are being used in an effort to locate the runaway monkeys, the Yemassee Police Department said in a statement.

“Residents are strongly advised to keep doors and windows secured to prevent these animals from entering their homes,” police said. said. “If you see any of the escaped animals, please contact 911 immediately and stay away from them.”

According to its website, Alpha Genesis breeds monkeys and provides “non-human primate products and biological research services” around the globe. The company’s clinical trials they are supposed to include research on progressive brain disorders.

Authorities have not identified the breed of the escaped primates, but the company’s website says its staff of veterinary technicians and animal specialists work with cynomolgus, rhesus and capuchin monkeys.

The Yemassee Police Department said several officers are working with Alpha Genesis personnel to recapture the primates.

The Post and courier The newspaper reported last year that Alpha Genesis had won a federal contract to oversee a colony of 3,500 rhesus monkeys on South Carolina’s Morgan Island, known as “Monkey Island.”

NEWSPAPER reported that the apes have escaped from Alpha Genesis before. Eight years ago, 19 primates escaped from the company’s facility, but were recaptured about six hours later.

Last year in Pennsylvania, dozens of lab monkeys escaped after a truck carrying 100 of the animals crashed. All primates were later accounted.