On October 28, 2025, a major transportation accident occurred on Interstate 59 near mile marker 117, north of Heidelberg, Mississippi, when a truck carrying rhesus monkeys overturned. The primates were being transported from Tulane University to a testing facility in Florida when the incident occurred, leading to multiple monkeys escaping into the surrounding area.
Following the accident, authorities have reported that all but one of the escaped monkeys have been "destroyed." Law enforcement and wildlife officials continue intensive search operations to locate the remaining missing primate. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is collaborating with local law enforcement agencies to manage the ongoing situation and ensure public safety.
Initial reports from the Jasper County Sheriff's Department raised significant health concerns, indicating that the monkeys were aggressive and potentially carried several diseases including hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID-19. These claims prompted widespread alarm among local residents and authorities.
However, Tulane University has strongly refuted these disease allegations. The university issued statements clarifying that the primates are not infectious and do not carry the diseases mentioned in initial reports. University officials emphasized that the monkeys belong to another entity and are not carriers of the mentioned diseases, creating a significant discrepancy between official reports and the university's position.
Residents in the affected areas of Mississippi are being advised to exercise extreme caution. Authorities have issued specific warnings:
The incident has sparked multiple investigations into both the transportation accident itself and the conflicting information regarding the health status of the primates. Questions remain about transportation protocols for research animals and the communication between involved parties during emergency situations.
As search efforts continue, authorities remain focused on locating the final missing monkey while addressing public concerns about potential health risks in the community.
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