A truck carrying a number of diseased monkeys overturned on a Mississippi highway Tuesday, and one is reportedly still on the loose.
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department first announced in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon, “A truck hauling monkeys from Tulane University has overturned around the 117 mile marker North of Heidelberg. It has been reported that several monkeys are on the loose. Do not approach the monkeys if you see one. Call 911. They do pose potential health threats and are aggressive.”
It is unclear how many monkeys were involved, but multiple crates are seen tossed about in the grass in one video shared by the media.
In an update, the Sheriff’s Department added:
All but one of the escaped monkeys have been destroyed. We have been in contact with an animal diposal 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
On 10/28/25 a wreck occurred on I59 near mile marker 117. This was a truck carrying Rehsus monkeys from Tulane University.
The monkeys are approximately 40lbs, they are aggressive to humans and they require PPE to handle. The monkeys carry hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID. Tulane University has been notified and will send a team to pick up the monkeys tomorrow (the ones that are still caged) .
One person commenting on the Facebook post asked, “This is a joke right ?!!!”
“Unfortunately not,” the sheriff’s department replied.
The sheriff’s department further explained why the monkeys were destroyed:
“The driver of the truck told local law enforcement that the monkeys were dangerous and posed a threat to humans. We took the the appropriate actions after being given that information from the person transporting the monkeys. He also stated that you had wear PPE equipment to handle the monkeys.”
The Tulane University released the following statement:
“Non-human primates at teh Tulane National Biomedical Research Center are provided to other research organizations to advance scientific discovery. 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.”
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