The monkeys are "believed to be in the wooded region surrounding the facility" and the police is assisting Alpha Genesis staff in corralling them.

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

In a development which directly mirrors the movie 28 Days Later, 40 monkeys have escaped from a research facility in Yemassee, South Carolina. The Yemassee Police Department made the bizarre announcement in a statement on Wednesday.