A truckload of “aggressive” monkeys from Tulane University in New Orleans escaped after flipping on a freeway.
According to a Facebook post from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department: “On 10/28/25 a wreck occurred on I59 near mile marker 117. This was a truck carrying Rehsus monkeys from Tulane University. The monkeys are approximately 40lbs, they are aggressive to humans and they require [personal protective equipment] to handle. The monkeys carry hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID. Tulane University has been notified and will send a team to pick up the monkeys tomorrow (the ones that are still caged).”
The post explained that all but one of the monkeys “have been destroyed.”
“We have been in contact with an animal disposal company to help handle the situation. Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries is also on site with our local law enforcement,” authorities said. “We are continuing to look for the one monkey that is still on the loose.
Tulane University issued a statement that claimed the monkeys were not infectious. “Non-human primates at the TNBRC are provided to other research orgs to advance science,” the university said. “The primates in question belong to another entity & aren’t infectious. We’re actively collaborating with local authorities & will send a team of animal care experts to assist as needed.”
The sheriff’s department later said the “driver of the truck told local law enforcement that the monkeys were dangerous and posed a threat to humans,” explaining the differing statements. “We took the the appropriate actions after being given that information from the person transporting the monkeys.”
Assistant vice president for news and media relations at Tulane University in New Orleans, Mike Strecker, emphasized to the Mississippi Free Press that it was “erroneous news that [the monkeys] had COVID and herpes and all that.”
Last year, more than forty rhesus macaque monkeys escaped from a bioresearch lab and were soon recaptured.
