A strange and unfortunate scene unfolded in Jasper County, Mississippi, when a truck carrying rhesus monkeys crashed on Interstate 59, causing confusion, concern, and the deaths of several animals that law enforcement officers were mistakenly told were dangerous and infected.
According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, the truck was transporting monkeys associated with Tulane University when it wrecked around 9:30 a.m., roughly 75 miles east of Jackson. The driver of the vehicle reportedly told deputies at the scene that the monkeys were highly aggressive, posed a threat to humans, and were carrying multiple diseases — including hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID-19. Based on this information, the department said it took immediate steps to protect the public, including destroying a number of the monkeys that got loose during the crash.
In a statement posted to Facebook, the sheriff’s department explained that it was acting on the driver’s claims, saying, “The driver of the truck told local law enforcement that the monkeys were dangerous and posed a threat to humans. We took the appropriate actions after being given that information from the person transporting the monkeys.”
However, as the situation unfolded, it became clear that the driver’s claims may not have been accurate. Tulane University released a statement on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying that the rhesus monkeys were not infectious. The university explained that while the monkeys were being hauled from its National Primate Research Center, they were not carrying any known diseases that would be dangerous to the public.
Tulane told NBC News that the animals actually belonged to a third-party entity and were not being transported by the university itself. Still, Tulane said it had dispatched a team of animal care experts to help local authorities recover the remaining monkeys and ensure proper care for those still alive.
It is still unclear how many monkeys were on board at the time of the crash. The sheriff’s department initially said only one animal was missing, but after Tulane staff were allowed to assess the scene and perform a more accurate count inside the truck, it was confirmed that three monkeys were still unaccounted for.
Each monkey reportedly weighs about 40 pounds, and their presence in a rural Mississippi county sparked immediate concern among locals. The sheriff’s department had issued warnings urging residents to avoid the area and not to approach any monkeys they might encounter. The department cited “potential health threats” and described the animals as aggressive, all based on the early account given by the driver.
After the crash, an animal disposal company was called in to collect the dead monkeys. Those that remained inside cages were secured by local authorities and held until Tulane’s team could arrive on site. The university emphasized that it is cooperating with local law enforcement and is committed to making sure the situation is handled properly.
🚨🇺🇸 BREAKING: “AGGRESSIVE” LAB MONKEYS ESCAPE OVERTURNED TRUCK IN MISSISSIPPI
Tulane University transport truck crashes on I-59, releasing six 40-pound rhesus monkeys.
Five have been euthanized, one still loose in the woods near Heidelberg.
Sheriff Randy Johnson warns… pic.twitter.com/tqOuOEGuiU
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 28, 2025
This incident comes amid growing public concern over the use and transportation of animals for scientific research, particularly primates. Tulane’s National Primate Research Center is one of several facilities in the United States that breeds and supplies monkeys for biomedical research. While the university said it works to “advance science,” critics have often questioned how such animals are handled during transport.
Sheriff Randy Johnson has not yet commented on the incident or on the conflicting information provided by the truck driver. Meanwhile, efforts are still underway to locate the three remaining monkeys. Officials have not provided updates on whether traps or tracking teams have been deployed, but residents in the area have been advised to report any sightings and avoid close contact.
No injuries to people have been reported, but the confusion surrounding the crash, the alleged misinformation from the driver, and the rushed destruction of animals have left many wondering how a breakdown in communication like this could happen — and what steps will be taken to prevent something similar in the future.
