Police searching for 43 monkeys that escaped from research facility

In a scene that sounds like it's straight out of Planet of the Apes, the residents of one small town in South Carolina have to deal with dozens of monkeys on the loose.

Two days ago (November 6) around 1pm, 43 monkeys - which are said to be rhesus macaques - broke out of Alpha Genesis, a research facility in Yemassee, Savannah in Georgia, after a caretaker accidentally left to lock the door.

And the primates are still at large, with the Yemassee Police Department urging residents to keep their 'doors and windows securely closed' and to not attempt to approach them 'under any circumstances'.

According to its website, Alpha Genesis provides 'nonhuman primate products and bio-research services world wide'.

Although the public is being urged to stay away from them, the group are said to be females all between 6 to 7 pounds, and police have confirmed that they have not been used for testing and are too young to carry diseases, CNN reports.

Alpha Genesis' CEO, Greg Westergaard, said he 'couldn't believe' the situation.

Speaking to CBS News, he said: "It's really like follow-the-leader. You see one go and the others go. It was a group of 50 and 7 stayed behind and 43 bolted out the door. I couldn't believe it, to be honest with you."

He said the monkey's escape was '100% human error', but said it has happened before - just not a whole bunch of them.

Westergaard continued: "It does happen that one can sneak out once in a while. It is very unusual to have a big group like this."

According to the BBC, the monkeys have since taken to 'hanging out in the woods' near the facility.

"There are some little things to eat in the woods but no apples, which is what they really like, so we are hoping that will draw them in the next day or two." he continued.

In order to capture them, he explained to CNN that Alpha Genesis has placed 'humane' traps down that closes a door behind them if they try to take the bait.

On Facebook, Yemassee Police Department has issued a statement, which read in part: "As of this time [5.50pm, November 7] the primates have not yet been captured.

"They are believed to be in the wooded region surrounding the facility. The staff at Alpha Genesis are currently attempting to entice the animals back using food in order to ensure their safe capture."

They added: "We urge anyone who sights or encounters one of these animals to contact 911 immediately and to refrain from approaching or interacting with them.

"These animals are highly sensitive and easily startled, we recommend that the public to avoid the area to prevent frightening them further."

Police concluded by saying further updates would be issued as they gained more information.

According to The Post and Courier, this isn't the first time monkeys have escaped from the facility - with a previous 19 monkeys making a break for it in 2016 before being safely returned six hours later.