21 Monkeys Involved in Mississippi Truck Overturn

An overturned transport truck on Interstate 59 near Heidelberg in Jasper County, Mississippi, spilled a shipment of rhesus monkeys bound for a Florida testing facility. Officials later said 21 monkeys were on the truck and that six escaped; most escapees were later seized and euthanized or “destroyed,” though at least one animal was reported still at large amid varying counts from different outlets. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and an animal-disposal contractor responded and warned residents not to approach the animals because of aggressive behavior and potential exposure concerns. Tulane University said the monkeys belong to another entity, are not infectious, and that it was not consulted about animals being destroyed, though it offered to send animal-care experts. Authorities are investigating the crash and urged anyone who spots remaining animals to call 911.