On Oct. 28, a Mississippi interstate truck carrying 21 rhesus macaques crashed near Heidelberg, leaving three monkeys free; authorities urge the public to report sightings.
Truck Crash Leaves Three Monkeys Free
A 2024 incident on I‑59 near Heidelberg, Mississippi, saw a truck carrying 21 rhesus macaques overturn, killing most animals and letting three escape.
Authorities Launch Intensive Search
On Oct. 29, law‑enforcement officers and specialists in protective gear combed the area, while Tulane University experts confirmed the monkeys pose no disease risk.
Tulane University’s Role
The animals were bred at Tulane University’s National Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana and sent to the Midwest; the university sent specialists but was not the owner.
Public Advisory and Safety Measures
Sheriff Randy Johnson warned that the monkeys could be aggressive and must be neutralized, urging anyone who sees them to stay away and report immediately.