U.S. police in the state of Mississippi killed several escaped rhesus monkeys following a truck crash that led to their release. The incident occurred on Tuesday when a vehicle transporting the primates overturned, causing confusion and prompting authorities to take action. The driver reportedly told law enforcement that the animals were infected with diseases like hepatitis C, herpes, and Covid-19, and posed a danger to humans. Acting on this information, police euthanized the monkeys. However, Tulane University, which is associated with the research facility, clarified that the monkeys were not infected and that they were not a health risk. The university said they were collaborating with local authorities to address the situation.
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department stated that the crash occurred on Tuesday morning along Interstate 59 near Heidelberg, approximately 160 kilometers from Jackson. The vehicle was carrying rhesus monkeys associated with Tulane University’s National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans. The department confirmed that the driver had told deputies that the animals were ‘dangerous and posed a threat to humans,’ and that they carried diseases including hepatitis C, herpes, and Covid-19. Law enforcement officials took ‘appropriate actions’ based on this information, leading to the euthanization of most of the monkeys. However, the university clarified that the monkeys did not belong to them directly and were not infectious, stating that they were working with local authorities and sending a team of animal care experts to assist.
Video from the scene showed wooden crates labeled ‘live animals’ scattered on the roadside, with monkeys moving through tall grass. The sheriff’s department reported that three monkeys remained loose after officials conducted a correct count inside the overturned truck. They later confirmed that all but one of the escaped monkeys had been killed, with the remaining one still at large near Heidelberg. The sheriff’s department had also contacted an animal disposal company to remove the carcasses from the area. The incident has raised questions about the handling and transportation of research animals, as well as the accuracy of the information provided by the truck driver.