Table of Contents
- Truck Crash Sparks Monkey Escape
- False Claim About Diseases Led to Tragic Decision
- Search Continues for Three Missing Monkeys
- Public Outcry and Calls for Accountability
- Sources
Mississippi Highway Incident Releases Research Monkeys
A chaotic scene unfolded Tuesday on a rural Mississippi highway when a transport truck carrying rhesus monkeys overturned, freeing eight primates into the surrounding area. The crash, which occurred in Jasper County, quickly escalated into a public safety alert after law enforcement was given alarming—but entirely false—information about the animals’ health status.
According to Sheriff Randy Johnson, the driver of the vehicle initially told deputies that the monkeys were infected with dangerous pathogens, including COVID-19, hepatitis C, and herpes B virus. Acting on that urgent—but incorrect—report, deputies made the difficult decision to euthanize five of the escaped primates.
False Disease Report Prompted Euthanasia
By Wednesday, officials confirmed the devastating truth: none of the monkeys carried the diseases they were accused of harboring. The animals, owned by Tulane University’s National Primate Research Center, were part of a federally regulated research program and had undergone routine health screenings.
“It’s a heartbreaking situation,” Sheriff Johnson said in a phone interview. “We were told these animals posed a serious public health risk. Based on that, we took action to protect the community. Now we’re learning it was all based on misinformation.”
The university later issued a statement expressing deep regret over the incident and clarifying that the primates were healthy and posed no infectious threat to the public.
Three Monkeys Still Missing
As of Wednesday afternoon, three rhesus monkeys remained at large. Local wildlife officials, animal control teams, and volunteers have launched an intensive search effort across wooded and residential areas near the crash site.
Authorities are urging residents to avoid approaching the animals and to report any sightings immediately. “These are not pets,” said a spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife. “They’re wild by nature and may act unpredictably, especially when stressed.”
Officials have also set up humane traps and are using thermal imaging drones to locate the missing primates before nightfall.
Public Outcry and Calls for Accountability
The incident has sparked widespread criticism from animal welfare groups and research ethics advocates. Many are questioning why law enforcement relied solely on the driver’s unverified claims without consulting veterinary or public health experts first.
“This is a tragic example of what happens when panic overrides protocol,” said Dr. Lena Patel, a bioethicist at Emory University. “There are established procedures for handling escaped research animals—none of which include immediate lethal force without verification.”
Tulane University has pledged a full internal review and said it is cooperating with state and federal agencies to prevent future incidents. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has opened an investigation.
Sources
The New York Times – Deputies Put Down 5 Escaped Monkeys They Were Wrongly Told Had Covid
