A Mississippi mother shot and killed an escaped Rhesus monkey in her yard after a truck crash released the primates along Interstate 59. The incident has sparked ongoing concerns about public safety, animal containment, and the risks of transporting research animals through residential areas.
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HEIDELBERG, MS (3-minute read) — A mother of five in rural Mississippi shot and killed an escaped Rhesus monkey early Sunday morning after it was spotted in her yard, days after a truck carrying lab primates overturned on Interstate 59 near Heidelberg.
Jessica Bond Ferguson, 35, said her 16-year-old son saw what he believed was a monkey outside their home. Ferguson grabbed her firearm and stepped outside, spotting the animal about 60 feet away. She said residents had been warned that the monkeys might carry diseases, prompting her to act.
“I did what any other mother would do to protect her children,” Ferguson told reporters. “I shot at it and it just stood there. I shot again and that’s when he fell.”
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed the incident and said the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks had retrieved the monkey. Authorities had been actively searching for the escaped animals since the crash.
The truck, which was not operated by Tulane University but was transporting monkeys from their biomedical research center, overturned last Tuesday, releasing several of the 21 Rhesus macaques onboard. While 13 were quickly recovered and five were later confirmed dead, three remained unaccounted for until Ferguson’s encounter.
Escaped Monkeys Spark Public Anxiety
Local law enforcement initially warned that the monkeys might pose a health risk, with early statements suggesting they could be infected. However, Tulane University later clarified the monkeys had recently been tested and were pathogen-free. Still, wildlife officials described the monkeys as potentially aggressive.
These macaques, each weighing around 16 pounds, are widely used in medical research and are known for their unpredictable behavior. A similar escape last year in South Carolina involving 43 macaques highlighted the challenges of securely housing and transporting such animals.
Ferguson, a professional chef, said she notified authorities before taking action but feared that letting the monkey escape could risk harm to others. “If it attacked someone else’s child and I could have stopped it, that would haunt me,” she said.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the truck crash. Residents are urged to remain cautious as recovery efforts continue.
Safety Tip: Always know your local laws regarding the use of firearms in defense of people or property. Understanding your rights and responsibilities helps ensure that your actions are both safe and legal.
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