In a twist of fate worthy of a Hollywood script, one of three monkeys that made a daring escape from a truck accident in Mississippi has been successfully recaptured. The truck, which was transporting 21 monkeys from Tulane University in New Orleans, overturned on a Mississippi interstate, setting off a frantic search for the missing animals.
The capture was confirmed by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, which shared the news in a Facebook post on Sunday. According to the post, a resident living near Highway 503 in Heidelberg discovered the monkey on their property. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks responded to the call and has since taken the monkey into their care. Further details about the incident remain scarce.
These monkeys were reportedly part of a contentious research initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health. This program has drawn criticism from groups like the White Coat Waste Project, a nonprofit dedicated to ending taxpayer-funded animal testing.
In the wake of the crash, authorities “eliminated” five of the 40-pound primates, as per the sheriff’s office. The driver of the truck had initially cautioned that the monkeys were potentially hazardous and should be handled only with proper protective gear. A photograph of one of the runaway monkeys was captured shortly after the accident, but it remains uncertain whether this particular monkey was among those the authorities dealt with.
One monkey escapee was photographed after the crash. It is unclear if it was one of the five “eliminated” by authorities. (Photo courtesy of Scotty Ray Report)
The sheriff’s office said it “eliminated” five of the 40-pound monkeys after the crash. Authorities said the truck’s driver initially warned that the primates were dangerous and required protective gear to handle.
Tulane University told Fox News Digital that the monkeys had recently been examined and were free of disease before leaving the facility.
Monkeys could be seen next to crates after the crash. (Photo courtesy of Scotty Ray Report)
Officials said 13 of the monkeys remained caged during the wreck north of Heidelberg and are now back with their owner, who is transporting them to their intended destination.
Two Rhesus monkeys remain on the loose, with authorities cautioning residents the primates are “aggressive.” (Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi)
Authorities did not release the owner’s identity or the monkeys’ original destination, citing confidentiality agreements.
Tulane University said moving research animals is routine but governed by strict confidentiality agreements to protect the animals’ safety and the parties’ proprietary information.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and local law enforcement are investigating the incident.
