JASPER COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) – The third monkey that escaped after a crash in Jasper County was recovered alive.

According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks (MDWFP), the third monkey was recovered alive near the crash site on November 5, 2025, and is now in possession of the wildlife transport company.

The crash occurred in Jasper County on October 28, 2025, on Interstate 59 north of Heidelberg. Bait and traps have been placed along the wreck site. The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) has said it was investigating the cause of the crash.

According to MDWFP, the truck was transported Rhesus Macaques from Tulane National Biomedical Research Center. The crash led to the escape of eight of the 21 monkeys on board. Five of the eight were killed at the crash site, and three escaped. Two of the three monkeys that escaped were later killed by Jasper County residents.

Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson said the driver of the truck initially told his deputies the monkeys were carrying infectious diseases, including hepatitis. Tulane University, which originally housed the animals, stated the monkeys were free of pathogens.

Officials with PreLabs, LLC, confirmed that the monkeys belonged to the company.

“We are cooperating with authorities and reviewing all safety procedures to ensure the continued wellbeing of both the animals and the community,” the company said in a statement to WJTV 12 News.