Most of 21 Monkeys Killed in Mississippi Crash

A truck carrying 21 caged rhesus monkeys overturned on Interstate 59 near Heidelberg, Mississippi last week, killing most of the animals and prompting a days-long search after others escaped. Authorities say several monkeys were recovered at the crash site and animal experts determined three escaped, with officials continuing to search for the remaining animals. Early Sunday, homeowner Jessica Bond Ferguson said she shot and killed one escaped monkey after her 16‑year‑old son alerted her that an animal was in their yard; she told police she had called them before going outside and feared for her five children's safety, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks took possession of the animal. The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Tulane's National Biomedical Research Center has been identified in some reports as linked to the primates, but Tulane said the animals did not belong to the university and were not being transported by it; residents had been warned the monkeys might carry diseases and officials have urged the public not to approach any escaped animals.