Tulane Truck Overturns; Monkeys Shot, One Missing

On Tuesday, Oct. 28, a truck hauling rhesus monkeys from Tulane University overturned on Interstate 59 at about mile marker 117 north of Heidelberg, Mississippi, releasing several animals. The monkeys, roughly 40 pounds each and described as aggressive, were reported to carry hepatitis C, herpes and COVID-19 and require personal protective equipment to handle. Local officials, Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries and an animal disposal company responded as several animals escaped while others remained caged. Authorities said all but one of the escaped monkeys were shot or “destroyed,” and Tulane will send a team to retrieve the surviving and still-caged animals; the university advised that any animals leaving the site must be shot. Residents were warned not to approach any monkey and to call 911 if they see one while officials continue to search for the remaining animal.