Rhesus Monkeys Escape After Truck Overturns on Mississippi Highway
A truck carrying rhesus monkeys overturned on Interstate 59 near Heidelberg, Mississippi, leading to the escape of several monkeys, with all but one subsequently killed.
A truck transporting rhesus monkeys overturned on Interstate 59 near Heidelberg, Mississippi, on Tuesday, resulting in the escape of several primates. The Jasper County Sheriff's Department reported that all but one of the escaped monkeys have been killed; the remaining monkey is still at large.
The incident occurred approximately 100 miles from Jackson, Mississippi. Video footage showed monkeys in the tall grass beside the highway, with wooden crates labeled "live animals" scattered nearby.
The monkeys were from Tulane University and were being transported to a testing facility in Florida. The sheriff's department initially warned that the monkeys were aggressive and required personal protective equipment to handle.
Rhesus monkeys, typically weighing around 16 pounds, are among the most medically studied animals. Tulane University stated that the primates in question belong to another entity and are not infectious.
The cause of the truck's overturning remains unclear. Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries is assisting in the search for the remaining monkey.