HEIDELBERG, Miss. — Authorities in Mississippi say several monkeys being transported along Interstate 59 escaped Tuesday afternoon after the truck carrying them overturned near Heidelberg in Jasper County.
According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, the transport vehicle was carrying rhesus monkeys — a species often used in medical research — when it overturned around mile marker 117. Deputies said the animals escaped from their transport crates following the crash, prompting an urgent response from multiple law enforcement and wildlife agencies.
Officials confirmed that all but one of the escaped monkeys were killed. The department warned that the primates were considered aggressive and advised residents not to approach any animals spotted in the area.
Confusion Over Disease Risk and Ownership
Initial statements from the sheriff’s office suggested the monkeys might carry diseases including hepatitis C, herpes, or COVID-19, but later clarification from university officials indicated the animals were not infectious and were not owned or transported by Tulane University’s research center, as some early reports suggested.
The shipment was believed to have been part of a biomedical transport operation. Officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of monkeys that were onboard or their final destination. Some reports estimate there were roughly 20 animals in total.
Public Safety and Cleanup
Residents in the area were urged to stay away from the crash scene while first responders and wildlife officers attempted to secure the animals. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks assisted deputies at the scene, while cleanup crews worked to remove debris and secure remaining cages.
Authorities said the cause of the crash remains under investigation. The truck driver suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Why It Matters
The bizarre incident raises broader questions about how research animals are transported across the country and what public safety measures are in place in case of accidents. Rhesus monkeys, which typically weigh around 16 pounds, are one of the most commonly used species in scientific and medical studies because of their genetic similarity to humans.
Officials say additional updates will be provided once the investigation determines the circumstances of the crash and confirms whether the remaining monkey has been recovered
