One monkey remains on the loose after a truck carrying research primates crashed in Mississippi a week ago, allowing some of them to escape.
In total, 21 rhesus macaque monkeys were being transported from the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center in Covington, La., when the crash happened Oct. 28 on Interstate 59 near Heidelberg. 13 remained inside and were taken to their original destination, while eight escaped.
Deputies with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department immediately shot and killed five of the monkeys after the truck’s driver inaccurately told them the monkeys carried diseases such as herpes, hepatitis, and COVID. One of the monkeys was shot and killed by a homeowner, a mother who told the Associated Press she feared for her children’s safety, on Sunday morning.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks confirmed Tuesday that another was found deceased, although no word was given on how it died.
“MDWFP has confirmed that two of the three unaccounted for Rhesus Macaques were recovered deceased. At this time, one Rhesus Macaque remains unaccounted for,” a statement from the state agency reads.
MDWFP is continuing to coordinate with authorities to locate the one unaccounted for monkey and urges the public to avoid any contact due to the monkeys being “known to be aggressive.” Residents are asked to call 1-800-237-6278 with credible sightings.
What we know
Immediately after the Oct. 28 crash, questions swirled as to where the monkeys were going, who owned them, and who was driving the truck. Sheriff Randy Johnson initially stated the truck was en route to a biomedical testing facility in Florida and has not clarified otherwise.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol confirmed Saturday that the vehicle that crashed was a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado with a trailer on the back. The driver, a 54-year-old from Cascade, Md., ran off the highway into the median near mile marker 117. There was a passenger, a 34-year-old from Thurmond, Md. Their names have not been released, but MHP officials said neither were injured.
PreLabs, LLC, a biomedical research support organization, took ownership of the monkeys on Monday via a press release. In line with previous statements from Tulane University, PreLabs said the monkeys were pathogen-free and it is working with authorities to locate the one left unaccounted for.
“The animals were being lawfully transported in compliance with all federal and state regulations to a licensed research facility,” a portion of the release reads. “The animals being transported were not infected with COVID-19, hepatitis, and herpes as indicated in certain news articles. … Recovery efforts supported by trained animal control and wildlife specialists are ongoing.”
