A truck full of several sick lab monkeys crashed Tuesday morning in Jasper County, Mississippi. and officials are warning residents to remain vigilant.
Rhesus monkeys from Tulane University escaped from their confinement after a truck overturned on Interstate 59. The truck was transporting 21 monkeys to a testing facility in Florida when he crashed near mile marker 117, north of Heidelberg.
Most of the monkeys have been recovered, but at least one of them is still unlocated, Johnson said. Law enforcement and wildlife officials are warning the public do not approach animals by any means necessary and call the authorities if spotted.
“Do not try to catch or touch these monkeys,” Johnson warned. “They can be aggressive and carry diseases including hepatitis C, herpes and COVID.”
Authorities said the five monkeys were “destroyed” for safety reasons. Crews from Tulane University are dispatched to capture the remaining animals and assist with cleanup and containment.
Local law enforcement was joined by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to help handle the situation and coordinate with the animal disposal company. The highway is partially closed as cleanup efforts continue, officials said.
“We continue to search for one monkey that is still at large,” Sheriff Johnson said in a statement.
Photos from the crash site show cages scattered along the road and rescuers trying to save the surviving animals. The sheriff stressed that residents near Heidelberg and along I-59 should remain cautious until all animals are accounted for.
“If you see this, don't go near it – report it,” he said.
The incident has sparked concern and mistrust online, with many residents dismissing the post as a joke. The sheriff's office has confirmed multiple times that the incident is real.
Officials stressed that public safety and containment are top priorities as recovery efforts continue.
“Nonhuman primates from the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center are shared with other research organizations to advance scientific discovery,” Andrew Yaun of Tulane University said in a statement. “The primates in question belong to another entity and are not infectious. We are actively cooperating with local authorities and will send a team of animal care experts to assist if necessary.”
