Mississippi Police Hunt Escaped Lab Monkeys After Truck Overturns on Highway

A truck carrying rhesus macaque research monkeys overturned on Interstate 59 in Jasper County near Heidelberg, Mississippi.

“Monkeys being transported on a Mississippi highway escaped captivity Tuesday after the truck carrying them overturned, according to law enforcement”

Associated Press

Several animals escaped into the woods, prompting a multi-agency search and public warnings to avoid contact.

Associated Press

Authorities and news outlets consistently advised residents not to approach the animals, as handlers require protective gear.

Early confusion about potential disease risks influenced the initial response to the incident.

Initial reports linked the shipment to Tulane University, but later statements clarified the monkeys belonged to a different organization.

The number of monkeys involved and those that escaped varied according to different sources.

Officials urged the public to call 911 if they spotted any of the escaped animals as the search continued.

Authorities described the animals as aggressive and warned residents to steer clear.

Search teams from local law enforcement, wildlife officials, and animal care experts worked to capture the remaining primates.

Baller Alert

Several outlets reported euthanizations for safety, with counts differing by source.

Some sources said five were euthanized, others said all but one, while some reported more monkeys still at large.

Officials brought in an animal disposal company for carcass removal.

Agencies coordinated ongoing updates as they continued the hunt.

Early messaging emphasized possible disease risks, with multiple outlets repeating warnings about hepatitis C, herpes, COVID‑19, and the monkeys’ aggression.

“A truck carrying 21 diseased lab rhesus monkeys from Tulane University overturned Tuesday morning on Interstate 59 in Jasper County, Mississippi”

Daily Express US

Some reports went further, while others quickly relayed Tulane’s denial that these animals were infectious.

One outlet even reported authorities initially advising that any escaped monkeys be shot on sight, underscoring the severity of the initial panic.

As the situation stabilized, agencies reiterated that residents should avoid contact and report sightings.

Several outlets emphasized there were no human injuries or exposures.

Confusion extended to basic facts, with outlets diverging on totals, escape counts, and locations.

Some described six monkeys in transit with one still at large; others said 21 were on the truck with six escaping.

Daily Mail

Another said three remained at large after three were euthanized.

While AP highlighted that the transport was legal with proper veterinary documentation, local and regional outlets described active scene management and recovery efforts.

These efforts included specialized contractors to remove carcasses and contaminated materials.

Context from AP also referenced a prior large escape in South Carolina.

Local reporting captured on-the-ground details and ethical criticism from animal rights groups.

Beyond the immediate response, coverage diverged on broader implications.

“Authorities in Jasper County, Mississippi, reported that several monkeys were destroyed and three remain on the loose after a truck carrying them crashed on Interstate 59”

FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth

Local and national outlets highlighted public safety and ethical debates.

FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth

PETA’s critique featured prominently alongside continuing search advisories and interagency coordination.

Some aggregators and tabloids included tangential or unrelated items in their roundups.

Others kept narrowly focused on the Mississippi incident.

Readers encountered a mix of urgent safety guidance, institutional clarifications about non‑infectious status, and calls to reconsider the transport and use of primates in research.