Rhesus Monkeys Escape Mississippi Highway After Truck Overturn, Multiple Deaths Confirmed
A truck carrying rhesus monkeys overturned Tuesday on a Mississippi highway, resulting in the escape of numerous primates and the confirmed deaths of all but three, according to authorities. The incident occurred approximately 100 miles from Jackson, the state capital, and prompted a swift response from local law enforcement and Tulane University officials.
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department initially alerted the public to the escaped monkeys via Facebook, warning that the animals “are aggressive to humans and they require PPE to handle.” As of Wednesday, officials confirmed that three monkeys remain at large after personnel from Tulane University were able to assess the situation inside the overturned vehicle and obtain an accurate count. The cause of the truck’s rollover remains under investigation.
Video footage circulating online depicts the monkeys navigating tall grass alongside Interstate 59, just north of Heidelberg, Mississippi, amidst scattered and damaged wooden crates labeled “live animals.” The monkeys originated from the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, a facility that routinely supplies primates for scientific research.
A driver’s account relayed to the sheriff’s department indicated the monkeys “were dangerous and posed a threat to humans,” leading authorities to take “appropriate actions” based on this information. The primates, which typically weigh around 16 pounds, are widely utilized in medical research globally.
Initial reports from the sheriff’s department suggested the monkeys may have been carrying diseases, including herpes. However, Tulane University swiftly refuted these claims, stating that the monkeys “are not infectious.” Law enforcement officials have yet to respond to requests from The Associated Press for clarification regarding the conflicting information.
“The primates in question belong to another entity and are not infectious,” a Tulane University spokesperson told CBS News. “We are actively collaborating with local authorities and will send a team of animal care experts to assist as needed.” Further clarifying the situation, Tulane spokesperson Andrew Yawn stated on Wednesday, “The primates in question were not carrying any diseases and had received recent checkups confirming that they were pathogen-free.”
Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries also responded to the scene to assist with the containment efforts. The ultimate destination of the monkeys and the identity of the entity to which they belong remain unclear.
Rhesus macaques are known for their adaptability and inquisitive nature, according to the New England Primate Conservancy, which notes the species was first imported to the United States in the 1970s for biomedical research. The conservancy describes them as “bold, extremely curious and adventurous monkeys” who are “highly adaptable to coexisting alongside humans.”
This incident echoes a similar event in November 2024, when 43 rhesus macaque primates escaped from an Alpha Genesis research facility in Beaufort County, South Carolina. In that case, residents were advised to secure their homes, and all the animals were eventually captured by January. Greg Westergaard, CEO of Alpha Genesis, explained to CBS News that the escape was the result of a caretaker inadvertently leaving a door unsecured.
The ongoing situation in Mississippi underscores the complexities and potential risks associated with the transportation of research animals, and raises questions about safety protocols and emergency response procedures. The search for the remaining three monkeys continues, as authorities work to ensure public safety and account for all the animals involved in the incident.
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