A truck carrying rhesus monkeys overturned on a Mississippi highway, leading to a chaotic escape. All but one of the monkeys have been killed, and authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash. The incident occurred on Interstate 59, approximately 100 miles north of Jackson, Mississippi. Video footage shows the monkeys crawling through tall grass, with wooden crates labeled 'live animals' scattered nearby. The Jasper County Sheriff's Department initially stated that the monkeys were aggressive and required personal protective equipment (PPE) to handle, but later revealed that the driver had been informed of the monkeys' dangerous nature. The monkeys, which are typically used in biomedical research, were being transported from Tulane University's National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tulane University assured the public that the monkeys were not infectious and were being provided to other research organizations for scientific discovery. This incident raises questions about the safety protocols and transportation methods for transporting animals used in scientific research. It also highlights the potential risks associated with transporting animals that carry diseases, even if they are not infectious. The escaped monkeys have been a reminder of the importance of proper handling and containment of animals in research settings, and the need for ongoing collaboration between researchers, authorities, and animal care experts to ensure the safety of both animals and humans.
