Copyright WEAU
JASPER COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM/Gray News) – A second monkey on the loose has been shot and killed by a civilian a week after escaping from an overturned truck on a Mississippi highway. A biomedical research organization has taken ownership of the monkeys that escaped from an overturned truck on I-59 in Mississippi on October 28. PreLabs, LLC, released a statement to WDAM confirming that the vehicle that overturned was transporting monkeys that they owned. According to PreLabs, the monkeys “were being lawfully transported in compliance with all federal and state regulations to a licensed research facility.” The organization also said that monkeys were not infected with COVID-19, hepatitis or herpes as had been originally reported by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. “This is documented by the supplier’s veterinary health certificate as well as confirmed by third-party testing and diagnostic services,” PreLabs said. The truck was carrying 21 monkeys at the time of the crash. Originally, five of them were shot and killed, 13 remained caged on the truck and three were on the loose. However, one of the missing monkeys was shot and killed by a homeowner after she spotted it in her yard. Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson says a second missing monkey was shot and killed by a civilian after it was seen crossing the highway on Monday a mile from the scene of the crash. The third and last missing monkey is still on the loose as of Tuesday afternoon. “PreLabs is working closely with authorities to ensure the safe recovery of the animals while remaining diligent regarding public safety,” PreLabs said. “We are cooperating with authorities and reviewing all safety procedures to ensure the continued well-being of both the animals and the community.” As other law enforcement agents have said, PreLabs also asked the public not to approach or attempt to capture the primates, “as they are likely frightened and disoriented following the incident.” PreLabs said that while the monkeys are not infectious, anyone who sees them is asked to contact Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks Wildlife Bureau at 601-432-2199. Born Free USA, an organization whose primate sanctuary is home to dozens of monkeys formerly used in biomedical research, called the entire situation “profoundly tragic.” “The incident of the overturned truck transporting monkeys from Tulane University’s National Biomedical Research Center was profoundly tragic for the animals who lost their lives, through no fault of their own. It also created a risky situation for law enforcement, who are not trained in handling monkeys and are sadly forced to kill innocent animals to protect the public,” Born Free USA said in a statement, in part. Born Free USA continued: “Science has long shown that macaques are poor facsimiles for humans, yet their exploitation in medical testing continues. There are alternative methods that not only yield better results but also do not involve cruelty to animals. Keeping wild animals like rhesus macaques remains dangerous and unnecessary for all primates involved – human and nonhuman – and to ensure the safety of both, we must minimize instances of them being held captive. Law enforcement officials should not need to choose between saving an innocent wild animal or protecting the public safety of humans, yet they are put in this position every time a wild animal escapes and poses a potential threat.” The monkeys had been housed at the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana, which routinely provides primates to scientific research organizations, according to the university. Tulane has said it wasn’t transporting the monkeys and they do not belong to the university. The surviving 13 monkeys arrived at their original destination last week, according to Tulane.
