A homeowner in Mississippi shot and killed one of the escaped monkeys from a truck accident last week, citing concerns for her children’s safety. Jessica Bond Ferguson recounted being alerted by her son about a monkey in their yard near Heidelberg. Armed with a firearm, she confronted the monkey and fired shots due to fears of diseases the monkeys might carry. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident, with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks taking possession of the monkey.
The monkeys, previously housed at Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center, were being transported from New Orleans, but details about the owner and destination remain undisclosed. The truck carrying the monkeys overturned on Interstate 59, resulting in the deaths of most monkeys and the escape of three. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, located about 160 kilometers from the state capital.
Sheriff Randy Johnson emphasized the need to “neutralize” the monkeys, despite reports confirming they were not infectious. Rhesus monkeys, weighing around seven kilograms, are extensively studied animals. In the past, similar incidents have occurred, leading to necessary precautions and changes in protocols to ensure safety.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, along with local officials, are actively searching for the escaped monkeys, known for their aggressive nature. This incident echoes a previous escape in South Carolina, highlighting the importance of proper containment measures for such research animals.
