Three monkeys at large after primates escape from crashed truck in US

October 29, 2025

A truck carrying Rhesus monkeys overturned on a Mississippi highway, causing multiple primates to escape onto the roadside. Authorities initially reported that most escaped monkeys had been destroyed, though they later determined three remained at large. While the monkeys were housed at Tulane University's biomedical research facility in New Orleans, the university clarified it neither owned nor was transporting the animals at the time of the accident.

Who is affected

The Rhesus monkeys (most destroyed, three escaped and at large)
The truck driver
Jasper County Sheriff's Department officials
Tulane University's National Biomedical Research Center personnel
Unknown owner and transporter of the monkeys
Local residents near the Mississippi highway

What action is being taken

Officials are searching for three monkeys still on the loose
Tulane University's team of animal care experts is assisting officials at the scene

Why it matters

This incident is significant because it involves the escape of research animals on a public highway, raising immediate public safety concerns. The initial miscommunication about disease risk created unnecessary alarm in the community, highlighting the importance of accurate information during emergencies. The incident also raises questions about transportation safety protocols for research animals and accountability, given the lack of clarity about ownership and transport arrangements.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC