URGENT UPDATE: A shocking incident unfolded in Jasper County, Mississippi, as a truck carrying 21 Rhesus monkeys to a Florida laboratory overturned on October 28, 2025. Six monkeys managed to escape during the crash, triggering an immediate search by local authorities.
The accident occurred on Interstate 59 near the 117-mile marker just north of Heidelberg. According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, five of the six escaped monkeys have been “destroyed” in efforts to control the situation. Authorities are currently focused on capturing the remaining monkey still at large.
Residents are advised to refrain from approaching the escaped monkey and to call 911 if spotted. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) has joined the response to locate the animal and ensure public safety.
Tulane University, which owns the monkeys, confirmed their involvement in the ongoing situation. In a statement, a university spokesperson said, “Non-human primates at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center are provided to other research organizations to advance scientific discovery.” The university plans to send a team of animal care experts to assist local authorities in the aftermath of this incident.
Officials have engaged an animal disposal company to manage the situation. The university also reassured the public that the surviving primates are not infectious, easing concerns about potential health risks.
This developing story highlights the urgent need for community vigilance as authorities work to safely capture the escaped monkey. Stay tuned for updates as this situation evolves.
