Mississippi Monkey Escape: 2 Dead, 1 Still Missing

What began as a traffic accident on Interstate 59 in Mississippi has escalated into a strange and concerning animal situation. Over a week after a truck carrying research monkeys overturned, officials confirm that a second escaped monkey has been killed, and one more is still at large.

A Dangerous Situation Unfolds

The latest incident occurred Monday evening when a monkey was spotted crossing the highway near the original crash site in Jasper County. According to Sheriff Randy Johnson, a civilian shot the animal, and the transport company later recovered its body. This follows a similar event over the weekend.

In that instance, a mother in Heidelberg, fearing for her children’s safety, shot an escaped monkey outside her home. She acted after her son spotted the primate, and locals had been warned that the monkeys might carry diseases.

The Aftermath of the Crash

The monkeys were part of a group of 21 being transported when their truck flipped. Eyewitnesses captured footage of the animals roaming free, with cracked crates scattered along the roadside. Tragically, five monkeys died in the immediate aftermath of the crash.

Authorities are strongly advising the public not to approach the remaining missing monkey. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks confirmed that two escaped monkeys have been found deceased, leaving one still unaccounted for. These rhesus macaques are known to be aggressive and can potentially spread diseases.

Who’s Responsible?

The monkeys were housed at the Tulane University National Primate Research Center but were not owned by the university itself. Tulane has clarified that while they work with research primates, they were not involved in this specific transport operation. The remaining 13 monkeys from the shipment did reach their intended research facility safely.

The transport company, PreLabs, stated that the monkeys were being legally moved to a licensed research site. They emphasized that the animals were not infectious, but cautioned the public to avoid contact due to their likely disorientation and fear.