More than 40 monkeys escaped from a research facility in South Carolina on Wednesday, prompting warnings for nearby residents to secure their doors and windows. The fugitive monkeys had not been captured as of Friday morning.

Here is what we know so far:

Where exactly did the monkeys escape in South Carolina?

The primates broke loose from Alpha Genesis in Yemassee, Beaufort County in South Carolina.

The company confirmed 43 rhesus macaque primates escaped from an enclosure at one of the company’s facilities.

The Yemassee Police Department said on Thursday that traps with bait were set up and thermal imaging cameras were being used in an effort to capture the monkeys.

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

How did the monkeys escape the research facility?

Greg Westergaard, CEO of Alpha Genesis, told CBS News on Thursday that a caretaker inadvertently failed to secure a door at the enclosure, allowing the monkeys to roam free.

“It’s really like follow-the-leader. You see one go and the others go,” he said. “It was a group of 50 and 7 stayed behind and 43 bolted out the door.”

He told CBS News on Friday that while they have not captured any of the monkeys, they are staying close to the facility.

“They’re just being goofy monkeys jumping back and forth playing with each other,” he said. “It’s kind of like a playground situation here.”

Westergaard said the company has put out baited traps but the monkeys are not going inside them yet.

“They’re jumping down and taking the food and then jumping back up on the fence and the tree line,” he added. “They’re watching us the same way we’re watching them.”

He acknowledged that it would be a long process to get them back and that they didn’t want to chase the monkeys because that would spook them and make them run away.

“We’ve got them very close,” Westergaard said. “This is all like what we want to see.”

What kind of monkeys are they?

The monkeys that escaped are rhesus macaque primates, which have brown fur with red faces and ears. They have close-cropped hair on their heads, which accentuates their very expressive faces.

The rhesus macaques are Asian, Old World monkeys that are primarily found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Southeast Asia and China.

Rhesus macaques were imported to the U.S. in the 1970s for biomedical research in laboratories, according to the New England Primate Conservancy.

Rhesus macaques are “bold, extremely curious, and adventurous monkeys” and the species is “highly adaptable to coexisting alongside humans,” the conservancy says.

The rhesus macaque’s typical diet includes roots, fruit, seeds, and bark as well as insects and small animals.

What were they using the monkeys to test?

According to its website, Alpha Gensis breeds monkeys and provides “nonhuman primate products and bio-research services” across the globe. The company’s clinical trials reportedly include research on progressive brain disorders.

Local authorities said Thursday that the escaped primates were “very young females weighing approximately 6-7 lbs” and had never been used for testing due to their age.

Alpha Genesis says its staff of veterinary technicians and animal specialists work with cynomolgous, rhesus and capuchin monkeys.

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

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed in a statement that the monkeys were previously living on Morgan Island as “free-range monkeys” and were brought to the Alpha Genesis facility “for conditioning to be around people.”  

The facility is registered with the CDC as a nonhuman primates importer, which means it “must meet standards for the importation, quarantine, and use of NHPs,” the agency said.

The CDC added that “the risk to the public is low as long as people do not approach or come in contact” with the monkeys. 

How often do research monkeys escape?

This is not the first time primates have escaped from Alpha Genesis.

Eight years ago, 19 primates escaped from the company’s facility but were recaptured about six hours later.

CBS affiliate WCSC in Charleston at the time reported that local officials said the escapes were not infrequent but generally the monkeys return to the compound because they know that is where there is food.

“Every couple of years we’ll have one or two that get out. We have never had this many get out,” Westergaard told CBS News on Friday.

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

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What should I do when a credit card debt collector contacts me?

Here are a few moves you should make when you’re contacted by a debt collector about your credit card debt:

Stay calm and gather information

The first thing to do when a debt collector contacts you is to remain calm. Take a deep breath and prepare to gather as much information as possible during the call. In general, debt collectors are required by law to provide specific details about the debt, including the original creditor’s name, the amount owed and other relevant information, all of which you’ll need to determine a path forward. 

During the call, you should also write down the debt collector’s name, the company they represent and their contact information. You also have the right to request a written validation notice, which will confirm the debt amount, the original creditor and your rights in the debt collection process. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) mandates that debt collectors provide this notice to you within five days of the initial contact.

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Confirm the debt and verify its accuracy

After receiving the validation notice, take time to verify the debt’s accuracy. Mistakes can happen, and debts may be sold multiple times, leading to possible discrepancies, so review the information carefully to confirm that the debt is yours and that the amount is correct. If there’s an error, you have the right to dispute the debt in writing within 30 days of receiving the validation notice. The debt collector must cease collection efforts until the dispute is resolved or the debt is verified as accurate.

Understand your rights (and what to expect)

Debt collectors must adhere to strict guidelines under the FDCPA. They cannot harass, threaten or deceive you. Familiarize yourself with your rights to feel empowered in your interactions with the collector. For example, debt collectors cannot:

• Call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
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• Use threatening or abusive language
• Make false statements or misrepresent the debt
• Contact others about your debt except to locate you

Come up with a plan of action

Start determining a plan of action by assessing your financial situation, including your income, expenses and any other debts. This will help you determine how much you can realistically afford to pay each month. From there, you can weigh your options, like paying the debt in full, negotiating a reduced amount or exploring other debt relief options. 

What debt relief options should I consider?

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The bottom line

Facing a credit card debt collector can be intimidating, but with the right approach, you can turn it into an opportunity to regain control over your finances. Start by gathering information, verifying the debt and understanding your rights. From there, create a plan and explore debt relief options such as consolidation, negotiation or credit counseling to find a solution that aligns with your financial goals. Being proactive and informed can make the difference in managing your debt and building a stronger financial future.