BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) — The search is on for 43 missing monkeys in Yemassee after they escaped their enclosure at the Alpha Genisis research center, and many people are wondering how legal it is to own a monkey in South Carolina. Following the reports of monkeys on the loose, some people joked that if they found them then they would just keep them as a pet. Especially once they found out that the monkeys are young and only weigh around six to seven pounds. As one of eight states who allow it, South Carolina law states that it is legal to own certain primates as pets, but there are restrictions. It is illegal to “import into, possess, keep, purchase, have custody or control of, breed, or sell” great apes in South Carolina. This includes primates like chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans, unless the owner acquired the animal prior to 2018. Any great apes owned before Jan. 1, 2018, who were registered with the county or city where the animal is held, are free to live out its life with their owner. Why did the deer cross the road? Georgia DNR explains Now, other primates like finger, spider or vervet monkeys can be owned as pets, if your city and county allow it. This also included Rhesus monkeys like the ones who are missing, but officials warn against trying to pick them up and take them home. "... and not shoot the monkeys, not try to trap the monkey as a pet," Yemassee Town Administrator Matt Garnes said. "We've seen post on Facebook already. People want to try to take the monkeys pets and not do that. That's a federal crime." There are some exceptions to the law that forbids owning great apes. Nonprofit animal organizations can hold a great ape temporarily at the written request of an animal control authority. Animal control agencies, law enforcement agencies, veterinary hospitals and their employees, universities, colleges and USDA license holders are also exempt from the law. This includes labs and research centers like Alpha Genisis. For those who can legally own primates, they are required to submit a contingency plan in case they escape, comply with USDA housing standards and maintain ownership records. They are also required to notify animal control and local law enforcement if a monkey does escape. Anyone who violates the law can face a $1,000 fine or up to 30 days in jail for a first offense. On the second offense, you could face a $5,000 fine or up to 90 days in jail.