Copyright Newsweek
A woman in Mississippi shot and killed one of the three Rhesus monkeys that escaped after a truck carrying research animals overturned on Interstate 59 last week. Jessica Bond Ferguson, a mother of five, fired at the monkey early Sunday morning after spotting it in her yard near Heidelberg, Mississippi. The Jasper County Sheriff's Office confirmed the incident and noted that the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks took possession of the animal. Why It Matters Rhesus monkeys, which typically weigh around 16 pounds, are among the most widely used primates in medical research. The monkeys had been housed at the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, which routinely provides primates to scientific research organizations, according to the university. In a statement last week, Tulane said the monkeys do not belong to the university, and they were not being transported by the university. What To Know The monkeys escaped Tuesday when a truck overturned north of Heidelberg, approximately 100 miles from Jackson. According to authorities, the truck was carrying 21 Rhesus macaques housed at the Tulane University facility. Most of the animals were killed in the crash, while animal experts determined that three escaped into the surrounding area. Bond Ferguson said she was alerted early Sunday by her 16-year-old son, who believed he had spotted a monkey running in the yard. She retrieved her firearm and cellphone, then stepped outside where she observed the animal approximately 60 feet away. Bond Ferguson and other residents had been warned about potential diseases carried by the escaped primates, prompting her to take action. Authorities initially raised concerns about the animals' potential health risks. The truck's occupants initially warned that the monkeys were dangerous and harboring various diseases. However, Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson later stated that Tulane officials reported the monkeys were not infectious. Tulane subsequently confirmed the animals had recently received veterinary checkups confirming they were pathogen-free. Despite the health clearance, Sheriff Johnson indicated the monkeys still needed to be "neutralized" due to their known aggressive nature. Rhesus macaques are recognized for their aggressive behavior, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. Video footage recorded after the accident showed monkeys crawling through tall grass beside the interstate, with wooden crates labeled "live animals" scattered across the scene. What People Are Saying Homeowner Jessica Bond Ferguson told the Associated Press: "I did what any other mother would do to protect her children. I shot at it, and it just stood there, and I shot again, and he backed up and that's when he fell." A Facebook post from Jasper County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday: "The driver of the truck told local law enforcement that the monkeys were dangerous and posed a threat to humans. We took the appropriate actions after being given that information from the person transporting the monkeys." Tulane University’s primate Research Center wrote on X Tuesday: “Non-human primates at the TNBRC are provided to other research orgs to advance science. The primates in question belong to another entity & aren't infectious. We're actively collaborating with local authorities & will send a team of animal care experts to assist as needed." What Happens Next Two of the three escaped monkeys remain unaccounted for. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, along with conservation workers from Tulane University, continue searching for the remaining animals. The Mississippi Highway Patrol's investigation into the crash's cause remains ongoing. Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
