Confusion Abounds as ‘Aggressive’ Lab Monkeys in Mississippi Escape After Truck Crash

Real life might have just created the perfect opening to a horror movie. Mississippi police reported Tuesday that a highway car wreck allowed a truckful of “aggressive” rhesus monkeys to escape.

Officials at the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department first detailed the incident on its Facebook page Tuesday afternoon. The truck was loaded with rhesus monkeys from Tulane University when it overturned, setting them free. It’s been a confusing state of affairs ever since, with conflicting reports from authorities and the university about the exact danger that these monkeys pose to the public.

Some of the monkeys have since been “destroyed,” officials said, but three are still on the lam.

Stay away

According to the sheriff’s department, the wreck took place on I59 near mile marker 117, close to the town of Heidelberg.

Soon after the incident, law enforcement officials warned residents to stay far clear of any escapees, noting that the monkeys weighed about 40 pounds (about a typical medium-sized dog) and were capable of attacking people.

“Do not approach the monkeys if you see one. Call 911. They do pose potential health threats and are aggressive,” the department wrote in its initial statement to the public.

Working with Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries, officials wrangled some of the monkeys by the end of the day. The department is reportedly now in contact with an animal disposal company to help handle the monkeys that were killed. But the situation isn’t quite over.

Monkey trouble

Officials first stated that one monkey was on the loose. But after Tulane officials arrived on the scene and took inventory, the sheriff’s department reported later in the evening that three monkeys had actually escaped capture.

Jasper County officials also originally stated that the monkeys were carrying various diseases: hepatitis C, herpes, and covid-19. But in a statement to Gizmodo, a Tulane University representative said that the monkeys were not infected with anything.

“Non-human primates at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center are provided to other research organizations to advance scientific discovery. 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,” the spokesperson said.

In its latest update, the sheriff’s department stated its initial warning was based on information provided by the truck driver transporting the monkeys.

“The driver of the truck told local law enforcement that the monkeys were dangerous and posed a threat to humans,” the department said. “We took the appropriate actions after being given that information from the person transporting the monkeys. He also stated that you had [to] wear PPE [Personal Protective Equipment] equipment to handle the monkeys.”

Whatever the case, it’s generally a smart idea to not interact with escaped lab animals, even if they aren’t actively carrying any dangerous germs. So if you’re somewhere around the central eastern region of Mississippi, for the love of god, do not try to make friends with any monkeys you happen to spot out there. The last thing we need is a real-life remake of 1995’s Outbreak, starring Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, and a fresh-faced Cuba Gooding Jr.