The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department in Mississippi revealed that three “aggressive” and infected monkeys escaped from a truck that crashed on October 28.
- However, in an update, the Sheriff’s Department wrote that only one monkey remained at large.
- Tulane National Biomedical Research Center advised that the monkeys are not infectious to humans.
- The Sheriff’s Department wrote that the 40-pound monkeys were infected with hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID.
Still, the Sheriff’s Department warned the public about the escaped monkeys in several posts on social media. “On 10/28/25 a wreck occurred on I59 near mile marker 117. This was a truck carrying Rehsus monkeys from Tulane University,” the Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
“The monkeys are approximately 40lbs, they are aggressive to humans and they require PPE to handle. The monkeys carry hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID. Tulane University has been notified and will send a team to pick up the monkeys tomorrow ( the ones that are still caged) .”
People responded with shock. “This has to be a joke right?” wrote one person on the Sheriff’s Department’s Facebook page.
Earlier, the agency wrote, “A truck hauling monkeys from Tulane University has overturned around the 117 mile marker North of Heidelberg. It has been reported that several monkeys are on the loose. Do not approach the monkeys if you see one. Call 911. They do pose potential health threats and are aggressive.”
The Sheriff’s Department Wrote That the Truck Driver Informed Officers That the Moneys Were ‘Dangerous’
Jasper Sheriff
“The driver of the truck told local law enforcement that the monkeys were dangerous and posed a threat to humans,” the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department wrote on Facebook.
“We took the the appropriate actions after being given that information from the person transporting the monkeys. He also stated that you had wear PPE equipment to handle the monkeys.”
“Non-human primates at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center are provided to other research organizations to advance scientific discovery,” a statement from Tulane says. It was posted by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
“The primates in question belong to another entity and are not infectious. We are actively collaborating with local authorities and will send a team of animal care experts to assist as needed.”
Earlier, the Sheriff’s Department shared a photo of wreckage with a monkey and wrote, “There are 3 monkeys still on the loose after the officials from Tulane were able to get inside the truck and get a correct count. Officials from Tulane arrived this evening rather than tomorrow as previously reported.”
They added, “We are doing our best to update the public, but we are still in the midst of gathering all pertinent information. We will continue to release updates as we get more information. All but one of the escaped monkeys have been destroyed. We have been in contact with an animal disposal company to help handle the situation.
The Sheriff’s Department wrote, “Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries is also on site with our local law enforcement. We are continuing to look for the one monkey that is still on the loose.”
