Jasper County, Miss. — A truck transporting 21 Rhesus macaques overturned on Interstate 59 north of Heidelberg on Oct. 28, resulting in several monkeys escaping.
According to the Jasper County Sheriff's Office, the crash occurred near mile marker 117. Conservation officers with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks were present at the scene the following day. Three monkeys remain unaccounted for, while Tulane University clarified that they do not own the monkeys involved in the incident.
Initial reports suggested the monkeys may pose health risks, citing potential infectious diseases; however, Tulane University stated the monkeys were not infectious and confirmed they had received recent health checkups.
The driver of the vehicle mentioned that personal protective equipment was necessary for handling the animals. Tulane dispatched a team of animal care experts to assist in the aftermath of the crash. The sheriff's office confirmed that some monkeys were “destroyed” prior to Tulane's statement regarding their health status.
PETA has called for transparency regarding the incident, demanding the release of veterinary records and necropsies for any monkeys that were killed.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and the status of the escaped animals.