2025’s news cycle continues to be…interesting.
A truck hauling rhesus monkeys, described as “aggressive” and initially reported to be infected with various pathogens (e.g., hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID), overturned on Interstate 59 in Mississippi.
A truck hauling monkeys from Tulane University in New Orleans flipped on a Mississippi highway, freeing several large, “aggressive” monkeys.After the wreck, which happened north of Heidelberg, multiple rhesus monkeys escaped into the community, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.”The monkeys are approximately 40lbs, they are aggressive to humans, and they require PPE [personal protective equipment] to handle,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a Facebook post.The animals carry hepatitis C, herpes and COVID, deputies said.
Reports indicate all the animals have been accounted for and euthanized, except one.
Officials from Tulane assert the animals were not infectious. Local law enforcement is currently pursuing the last escapee.
“We have been in contact with an animal disposal company to help handle the situation. Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries is also on site with our local law enforcement. We are continuing to look for the one monkey that is still on the loose,” the post said….The sheriff’s office said Tulane University has been notified and will send a team to pick up the remaining caged monkeys on Wednesday, Oct. 29.“Non-human primates at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center are provided to other research organizations to advance scientific discovery,” Tulane University said in a statement. “The primates in question belong to another entity and are not infectious. We are actively collaborating with local authorities and will send a team of animal care experts to assist as needed.”
People were warned not to approach the loose monkey and to call 911 if they see it.
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