by Heidelberg, MS — A Mississippi mother of five shot and killed one of three Rhesus monkeys that escaped after a truck carrying research animals overturned on Interstate 59 last week. The woman, identified as Jessica Bond Ferguson, said she fired at the animal early Sunday morning after spotting it near her home in Heidelberg, Mississippi.
Mother’s Split-Second Decision to Protect Her Kids
According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Ferguson reported seeing the monkey on her property after being alerted by her 16-year-old son. When she stepped outside, she found the primate about 60 feet away.
Residents had been warned about potential dangers, including the possibility of disease transmission from the escaped monkeys. Acting out of concern for her children’s safety, Ferguson said she grabbed her firearm and shot the animal.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks later arrived and took custody of the monkey’s remains for examination.
How the Escape Happened
The incident began on Tuesday, when a truck carrying 21 Rhesus macaques from the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, overturned north of Heidelberg, roughly 100 miles from Jackson.
Authorities reported that most of the monkeys died in the crash, but three escaped into nearby wooded areas. Emergency crews and animal control officers immediately launched search operations to capture the remaining animals.
Footage from the crash scene showed monkeys crawling through tall grass, surrounded by broken wooden crates labeled “Live Animals.”
Confusion Over Health Risks
After the crash, there were initial fears that the monkeys could carry infectious diseases, leading officials to warn residents to stay indoors.
The truck’s occupants initially claimed the animals might be “dangerous” and infected, heightening public alarm. However, Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson later clarified that Tulane University officials confirmed the monkeys were not infectious.
According to Tulane, all the monkeys had undergone recent veterinary screenings and were confirmed to be pathogen-free.
Despite this, Sheriff Johnson explained that the monkeys still had to be “neutralized” due to their naturally aggressive behavior. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks echoed this, describing Rhesus macaques as highly aggressive animals, especially when stressed or cornered.
Search for Remaining Monkeys Continues
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the crash that led to the escape. Meanwhile, two of the three monkeys remain missing.
Search efforts are ongoing, with teams from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and Tulane University continuing to comb through the Heidelberg area.
Officials have urged the public not to approach the animals if spotted and instead to report sightings to local authorities.
Why These Monkeys Are Important to Science
Rhesus monkeys, which typically weigh around 16 pounds, play a major role in medical and scientific research worldwide. They are often used in studies focused on neurology, immunology, and vaccine development.
According to Tulane University, the animals involved in the crash did not belong to the school but were being transported from its National Biomedical Research Center, which supplies research primates to other organizations.
Do you think Jessica Bond Ferguson made the right decision when she shot the escaped monkey to protect her children? Should there be stricter safety regulations for transporting research animals?
Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below.
