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Search Continues for Last Escaped Research Monkey in Mississippi After Two Shot Dead

State wildlife officials urge residents to avoid contact with the animal.

Overview

  • Mississippi wildlife officials reported that two of the three missing rhesus macaques were found dead and one remains unaccounted for.
  • A Heidelberg homeowner, Jessica Bond Ferguson, shot one monkey on Sunday, and Jasper County resident George Barnett killed another on Monday after spotting it near a highway.
  • The Oct. 28 crash on I-59 released eight of 21 transported monkeys; five were recovered at the scene and the surviving 13 reached their destination last week.
  • PreLabs LLC confirmed it owns the monkeys, while Tulane said it did not transport them and clarified the animals were not infectious after initial incorrect disease claims by local authorities.
  • The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating the crash as officials set traps near the site and ask the public to report credible sightings to wildlife authorities.