Copyright NBC News
A number of monkeys associated with the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center were "destroyed" after they got loose Tuesday morning and law enforcement officers were mistakenly told they were dangerous. The rhesus monkeys were being transported when the truck carrying them crashed in Jasper County, Mississippi, about 75 miles east of Jackson, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department said in a statement. Responding deputies were told by the vehicle's driver that the primates posed a threat to humans; were aggressive; had hepatitis C, herpes and Covid; and would require personal protective equipment to handle, the sheriff's department said on Facebook. “The driver of the truck told local law enforcement that the monkeys were dangerous and posed a threat to humans,” it said. “We took the the appropriate actions after being given that information from the person transporting the monkeys.” The department did not specify how many monkeys were on board, but said they weighed approximately 40 pounds each. All but one were "destroyed," it said, adding that it was still looking for the animal. The department warned the public about the crash on Interstate 59, which runs diagonally across the south and eastern side of Jasper County, shortly after 9:30 a.m. It told people at the time to avoid the monkeys because they posed "potential health threats and are aggressive." Tulane University subsequently responded to the situation, saying its National Biological Research Center provides primates to other research organizations and that the monkeys belong to a third party. "The primates in question belong to another entity & aren't infectious," it said on X. "We're actively collaborating with local authorities & will send a team of animal care experts to assist as needed." The sheriff's department said it contacted an animal disposal firm to take the carcasses at the scene. It also said Tulane would send a team Wednesday to pick up the monkeys that remained caged and didn't escape. Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
