2nd Escaped Monkey Shot in Mississippi
People wearing protective clothing search along a highway in Heidelberg, Mississippi, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Sophie Bates)
Authorities in Mississippi say a second escaped monkey has been shot and killed, while the search continues for a third that remains on the loose.
The rhesus monkeys escaped last week after a truck carrying 21 of them overturned on Interstate 59 near Heidelberg. Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson said someone shot one of the monkeys Monday evening after it was seen crossing the highway about a mile from the crash site. The animal was later recovered by a representative from the transport company.
According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP), two of the escaped monkeys have now been found dead, with one still missing. Officials are urging residents not to approach the animal, warning that rhesus monkeys can be aggressive.
Over the weekend, a local resident, Jessica Bond Ferguson, said she shot one of the monkeys near her home after her teenage son spotted it in the yard. Ferguson said she acted out of concern for her children’s safety after residents were warned the animals could carry diseases.
The truck involved in the crash was hauling the monkeys north of Heidelberg when several escaped. Five monkeys were killed during the initial search, and three were reported missing. The animals had been housed at the Tulane University National Primate Research Center in Louisiana, which supplies primates for scientific research.
Tulane clarified that the monkeys did not belong to the university and were not being transported on its behalf. The remaining 13 monkeys were successfully delivered to their destination last week.
The MDWFP said it is working with Jasper County officials to track down the remaining monkey. Anyone with credible sightings is asked to call 1-800-BE-SMART.
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