Rhesus Monkeys Escape After Mississippi Truck Overturns, Authorities Confirm No Disease

A truck carrying rhesus macaques from Tulane University's National Primate Research Center overturned on Interstate 59 near Heidelberg, Mississippi, leading to several monkeys escaping. Authorities initially reported that the monkeys were infected with diseases such as herpes, hepatitis C, and COVID-19, but Tulane University later clarified that the primates were not diseased and were owned by another entity. Despite this, officials described the escaped monkeys as aggressive and stated that some had to be "neutralized," with five killed and three still on the loose. The incident has raised public safety concerns due to the potential for disease transmission and the risks posed by transporting laboratory animals across highways. Animal rights groups like PETA condemned the practice, calling for transparency and questioning the ethics and safety of using monkeys in research. Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid contact with the animals and report sightings as they search for the remaining escaped monkeys.