JASPER COUNTY, MISS. — Tulane University has released a statement following a crash on I-59 in Mississippi earlier this afternoon that released multiple monkeys that were in route to another site in Florida. All but one of the escaped Rehsus monkeys were shot, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.
The wreck occurred on I-59 near mile marker 117, north of Heidlburg, Mississippi, Tuesday afternoon. The truck carrying Rehsus monkeys from Tulane National Biomedical Research Center overturned, causing some of the monkeys to break free from their cages and run loose.
Initial information from the sheriff’s office on Facebook said that “The monkeys are approximately 40lbs, they are aggressive to humans and they require PPE to handle. The monkeys carry hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID.” In addition, the post said that Tulane University’s team was notified and would be sending a group to “pick up the monkeys tomorrow.”
“They advised if the monkeys leave the wreck site they need to be shot,” the post added.
In a later update, the sheriff’s department shared on social media:
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
Officials destroyed all but one of the escaped primates, and said that Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries was on site to assist local law enforcement. At the time of posting, one monkey was still on the loose and the sheriff’s office had been in contact with “an animal disposal company to help handle the situation.”
Tulane released the following statement, which was shared on social media by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office:
Non-human primates at the 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.
No other details are available at this time.
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