Mississippi mum fatally shoots escaped research monkey

November 3, 2025

A woman in Mississippi shot and killed one of several monkeys that escaped after a transport truck overturned last week, stating she acted to protect her five children after being warned the animals carried diseases. The Rhesus monkeys, commonly used in biomedical research, were being housed at Tulane University's National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans for scientific purposes, though the university clarified it neither owned nor was transporting the animals at the time of the incident. Despite official statements that the monkeys carried no infectious agents, the 16-year-old son of Jessica Bond Ferguson spotted one in their backyard, prompting her to shoot it.

Who is affected

Jessica Bond Ferguson and her five children (particularly her 16-year-old son)
Other residents in the Jasper County, Mississippi area
The escaped Rhesus monkeys (one killed, others escaped)
Tulane University's National Biomedical Research Center
Jasper County Sheriff's Department
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
The unknown owner of the monkeys
The transport company (unnamed)

What action is being taken

Tulane University has sent a team of animal care experts to assist officials
The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has taken possession of the deceased monkey
The Jasper County Sheriff's Department is investigating the encounter

Why it matters

This incident highlights tensions between public safety concerns and scientific research operations, particularly when communication breaks down during emergencies. The confusion about ownership, transportation responsibility, and conflicting information about disease risk created a dangerous situation where residents felt compelled to take matters into their own hands. The shooting of a research animal also raises questions about proper protocols for transporting valuable research subjects and communicating risks to the public during wildlife emergencies.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC