YEMASSEE – It happened again.

According to Yemassee police, a group of 40 female rhesus macaques escaped from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center on November 6. The animals escaped from a facility on Castle Hall Road owned by a private company that breeds monkeys for medical testing and research.

“Traps have been set in the area and Yemassee Police are currently on scene using thermal cameras to locate the animals,” the updated post said around 9:45 p.m. “Residents are strongly advised to secure doors and windows to prevent these animals from entering their homes.”

Anyone who encounters the primates should call 911 instead of trying to catch or contact them, police warned.

The small primates weigh about 6 pounds and pose no threat to the public, Yemassee Police Chief Gregory Alexander said.

“Just don’t try to take these things home or pet them,” Alexander said. “We get a lot of it on our social media. This is a crime because they are not yours.”

Alpha Genesis, which is handling the recapture, has set traps and reported sightings, Alexander said.

Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture fined Alpha Genesis $12,600 for incidents that occurred between December 2014 and February 2016. Federal government documents mentioned improperly secured enclosures and dehydration caused by an accidentally closed water pipe. An animal welfare organization believed the punishments were not severe enough.

The records highlighted a breach that led to the escape of 26 monkeys in December 2014. A monkey was placed in the wrong social group in August 2015 and killed by other monkeys.

Westergaard previously told The Post and Courier that the group paid the subpoenas in July 2017. He said the group self-reported several of the violations cited by the federal government.

The Lowcountry has experienced a number of primate escapes in recent years. In May, Japanese macaque Bradley escaped from his home in Walterboro. After a search lasting several days, Colleton County Animal Services determined the monkey had been captured. Two days later, officials announced that the animal was found dead.

In 2016, 19 monkeys escaped Alpha Genesis. The primates were returned home six hours after their prison break.

According to the USDA, at least five monkeys died at the facility between 2011 and 2012.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided.

Jessica Wade contributed to this report.