Officials have been forced to reassure residents in one US state after a truck carrying monkeys described as 'a threat to humans' overturned and led to their escape.
Jasper County Sheriff's Department in Mississippi sparked concern among locals on October 28 when it issued a statement on the incident on Facebook, announcing that a truck from Tulane University had overturned in Jasper County, Mississippi, about 75 miles east of Jackson.
The incident had left 'several monkeys on the loose'.
"Do not approach the monkeys if you see one. Call 911," the statement said, adding: "They do pose potential health threats and are agressive [sic]."
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The department later shared an image of one monkey peeking out from the overturned truck, and wrote in a caption that the monkeys were allegedly carrying various diseases.
They said: "This was a truck carrying Rhesus monkeys from Tulane University. The monkeys are approximately 40lbs, they are aggressive to humans and they require PPE to handle. The monkeys carry hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID."
Officials from Tulane University arrived at the scene to help, but the university has since shut down concerns that the monkeys were carrying diseases.
In a statement, the university explained: "Nonhuman primates at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center are provided to other research organizations to advance scientific discovery. This is a common practice among research organizations.
"On Oct. 28, a vehicle was transporting 21 Rhesus Macaques when an accident occurred on I-59 in Mississippi. The nonhuman primates were not being transported by Tulane, not owned by Tulane, and not in Tulane’s custody. The primates in question were not carrying any diseases and had received recent checkups confirming that they were pathogen-free.
"Although Tulane did not transport or own the nonhuman primates at the time of the incident, we sent a team of animal care experts to assist in this tragic incident. Questions regarding the missing nonhuman primates and other details of this case should be referred to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office."
According to authorities cited by Action News 5, the Rhesus monkeys were on their way to a testing facility in Florida after being at Tulane University in Louisiana.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks responded to the scene along with local law enforcement, with the sheriff's department explaining that authorities have taken measures to 'destroy' the escaped monkeys.
In one of its most recent updates, the department announced there were 'three monkeys still on the loose'.
In response to the news that the monkeys were not infectious, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department explained that the driver of the truck had informed local law enforcement that the monkeys were 'dangerous', and required PPE before handling.
The university doubled down on its assurance in a statement to NBC News on Tuesday night, saying again that the monkeys belonged to a third party.
"The primates in question belong to another entity, and they have not been exposed to any infectious agent," it said. "The non-human primates were NOT being transported by Tulane, but we are actively collaborating with local authorities and are sending a team of animal care experts to assist."
UNILAD has reached out to Tulane University and the Jasper County Sheriff's Department for comment.
Emily Brown