Mississippi Monkey Incident: One Shot Dead, Another Still Missing

In an unfortunate chain of events, authorities reported the death of a second monkey following a vehicular accident in Mississippi where a truck carrying these animals overturned.

A bystander shot one of the monkeys Monday evening upon observing it crossing the highway, roughly a mile from where the accident took place on October 28, according to Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson. The transport company was alerted and collected the monkey after it had been fatally shot.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks announced that while two monkeys have been found dead, one remains elusive. Officials cautioned the public to keep their distance from these Rhesus monkeys, citing their potential aggressiveness.

On the weekend prior, Jessica Bond Ferguson, concerned about her children's safety, shot another monkey captured on sight by her teenage son near their home close to Heidelberg. Residents had been advised of possible health risks posed by the monkeys, justifying their precautions.

The transporter carrying 21 monkeys flipped over on Interstate 59, just north of Heidelberg. Images showed monkeys and packing crates scattered among the tall grass beside the road while crews in protective gear searched the surroundings. Sadly, five monkeys died during these efforts.

Tulane University reported that the monkeys were originally housed at its National Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana. While the university asserts the animals were not in their care during the transport, they confirmed that the remaining 13 monkeys have been safely received at their intended facility.

PreLabs, a biomedical research support organization, affirmed the vehicle was transporting primates lawfully to a licensed research center. They reassured the community that no diseases were detected in the monkeys, but advised maintaining distance as they likely exhibited signs of stress and disorientation.

Sheriff Johnson reiterated that the primates were disease-free as validated by Tulane officials, yet emphasized the monkey's aggressive nature warranted continued efforts to manage them safely.

According to Andrew Yawn, a Tulane spokesperson, these primates had recently been health-screened, confirming their pathogen-free status.

This incident draws attention to the usually concealed practices in animal research, highlighting gaps in public knowledge regarding such transports. The Mississippi Highway Patrol continues to look into the crash, which occurred approximately 100 miles from Jackson, the state capital.

Rhesus monkeys, recognized by their distinctive brown fur and red facial features, have been a part of U.S. biomedical research since the 1970s. Notably curious and daring, these primates play a pivotal role in scientific exploration.