Mississippi Truck Crash Releases Multiple Research Monkeys; One Captured Two Remain Missing

A truck carrying 21 rhesus macaques from Tulane University's National Biomedical Research Center overturned on Interstate 59 in Mississippi, resulting in the escape of several monkeys. Authorities captured one of the escaped primates after it was found on a homeowner's property, while two others remain at large. Initially, law enforcement described the monkeys as diseased and dangerous, leading to the euthanization of five animals, but Tulane clarified the monkeys were free of pathogens and posed no disease risk. The monkeys belong to an undisclosed research organization and were being transported under strict confidentiality, with Tulane emphasizing the routine nature of such transfers. The incident has drawn attention to the secrecy surrounding animal research, including the lack of transparency about the monkeys' ownership, destination, and the nature of their research use. Animal rights advocates have criticized the opacity of the situation, calling for greater public disclosure about the primates' transport and welfare.