Monkeys Escape After Truck Crash: Search Underway in Mississippi

UPDATE: A truck transporting 21 Rhesus monkeys to a testing facility in Florida overturned in Jasper County, Mississippi, on October 28, 2025, leading to a dramatic escape of six monkeys. The incident occurred around 2:30 PM on Interstate 59, just north of Heidelberg, and authorities are currently engaged in a search for the remaining escaped monkey.

According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, five of the six escaped monkeys were subsequently “destroyed” as part of the response to the incident. “We have been in contact with an animal disposal company to help handle the situation,” officials stated.

The crash has raised safety concerns in the area, prompting authorities to advise local residents to avoid approaching the escaped monkey. Anyone who sees the animal is urged to call 911 immediately. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has also joined the effort to locate the last monkey.

Tulane University, which owned the monkeys, confirmed their involvement and stated that a team will be dispatched to assist with the situation. “Non-human primates at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center are provided to other research organizations to advance scientific discovery,” the university noted in an official statement. They assured the public that the surviving monkeys are not infectious.

Authorities are working diligently to secure the area and ensure public safety as the search for the remaining monkey continues. Neighbors in the vicinity are advised to remain vigilant and report any sightings.

This incident highlights the challenges and risks associated with transporting live animals for research purposes. As the situation unfolds, residents and animal welfare advocates alike are closely monitoring the developments surrounding this unusual accident.