JASPER COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) – A truck hauling 21 monkeys to a testing facility in Florida overturned in Jasper County, Mississippi, on October 28, 2025.

According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, the accident occurred on Interstate 59 near the 117-mile marker just north of Heidelberg. They said six Rhesus monkeys from Tulane University escaped.

Officials said five out of the six monkeys that escaped were destroyed.

“We have been in contact with an animal disposal company to help handle the situation,” officials said.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) also responded to the scene. Authorities are searching for one monkey that’s still on the loose. Neighbors should not approach the monkey. If they see the monkey, they should call 911.

Authorities said Tulane University has been notified and will send a team to pick up the surviving monkeys on October 29, 2025. The university released the following statement.

Non-human primates at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center are provided to other research organizations to advance scientific discovery. The primates in question belong to another entity and are not infectious. We are actively collaborating with local authorities and will send a team of animal care experts to assist as needed.
Tulane University