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A rhesus macaque monkey that escaped from an overturned truck in Mississippi last week was shot and killed by a local resident on Saturday, bringing a tragic end to an extensive search. The woman, from Jasper County, told authorities she shot the animal because she feared for the safety of her children after spotting it in her yard acting aggressively.
The incident began on Tuesday, October 28, when a truck transporting the monkeys to a research facility overturned on a highway in Heidelberg, Mississippi. The vehicle was en route to the Tulane National Primate Research Center. Following the crash, authorities confirmed that at least three monkeys had escaped, triggering an extensive search and public safety warnings from the Jasper County Sheriff's Department, which advised residents not to approach the animals.
According to the sheriff's office, the woman used a .22-caliber rifle after the monkey reportedly showed its teeth near an area where her children frequently play. The Jasper County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident. In a statement, Tulane University expressed sadness over the monkey's death but acknowledged the resident's concern for her family. The university had previously stated that the animals were not infectious. However, rhesus macaques can carry the herpes B virus, which can be dangerous, and even fatal, to humans, a fact that underscored the risks posed by the escaped primates.
The search is still underway for the remaining escaped monkeys. Rhesus macaques are native to Asia but are known to be highly adaptable. Experts noted that while the recent drop in Mississippi's temperatures is not ideal, the species can survive in temperate climates, making their capture a continued priority for local law enforcement and animal control officials.
