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 monkeys that escaped were destroyed. Three were still missing as of Tuesday evening.

“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.

Neighbors should not approach the monkeys. If they see the monkeys, they should call 911.

Authorities said Tulane University has been notified and sent a team to pick up the surviving monkeys. 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