WATCH: Monkeys On The Loose In Cincinnati Cemetery As Police Step Up Capture Efforts

Police officers in Cincinnati are searching for five monkeys on the loose that are believed to have escaped from a private collection.

Officers were alerted about sightings of the primates by residents who spotted the animals in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in East Price Hill on Wednesday night, Fox 19 reports.

A video shared on Facebook that apparently shows the monkeys resting in a tree has begun to garner national attention.

Although officers have been unable to locate the monkeys, the search for the primates continued Thursday. Authorities were forced to suspend the search until daylight as they suspected the primates found a place to rest overnight in the cemetery.

However, officials have made little progress since resuming the search on Thursday morning. Stephen Bitner, the owner of the cemetery, told the Cincinnati Enquirer he began searching the grounds at 6:30 a.m. with Bruce VanHook, who manages the cemetery.

“Between him and I, we have patrolled for probably the last two hours, and we cannot see anything that is similar to a monkey,” Bitner said.

The owner suggested a flock of wild turkeys that roam the grounds could have been mistaken for monkeys. “Wild turkeys nest in trees, so the question is were they nesting in the trees because whoever filmed and put on social media, it was through the power lines because you can see the power lines in the video.”

Nonetheless, David Orban, director for animal science and strategy at the Cincinnati Zoo, revealed they are standing by to help authorities if necessary. The zoo has not reported any missing animals, nor have any private primate collectors come forward.

“Until we are able to identify them in the daylight, it’s hard to know. The Cincinnati Zoo will be here to assist and confirm, but at this point, we need a confirmed sighting. If anyone does have a confirmed sighting of these monkeys they should call Cincinnati police,” Orban said in a statement.

Ownership of “Dangerous Wild Animals” (DWA) like komodo dragons, alligators, bears, tigers, pythons, and some species of primates is not allowed in Ohio, according to the state’s Department of Agriculture.

Possession of DWA is only allowed if the animal was owned before the June 5, 2012 law regulating the ownership of the animals by anyone not meeting one of the exemptions, like operating an accredited zoo.

Lemurs, squirrel monkeys, marmosets, and capuchins are permitted to be privately owned in Ohio. However, residents are encouraged to check with their local authorities to confirm if the species is allowed.