HEIDELBERG, Miss. (AP) — A homeowner in Mississippi shot a monkey that escaped from a truck carrying research monkeys after an accident on a local highway. The incident occurred on Sunday morning when Jessica Bond Ferguson was alerted by her son to a monkey in their yard. Concerned for the safety of her five children, she took her firearm and went outside to confront the animal.
Having been warned about the diseases that escaped monkeys could carry, Bond decided to fire her weapon. I did what any other mother would do to protect her children, she commented, detailing how she shot at the monkey, which ultimately resulted in its death as it backed away before collapsing.
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they had been notified about the monkey sighting and informed the public that the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks would take possession of the deceased animal. The Rhesus monkeys were previously housed at Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center, and it was clarified that the monkeys were not being transported by the university at the time of the incident.
This event highlights concerns regarding wildlife and public safety, particularly as it relates to animals associated with scientific research. More details about the circumstances of the truck accident and the escaped monkeys are still emerging.
