Monkey Shot by Homeowner After Escaping from Research Truck

Mon Nov 03 2025 08:27:48 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A monkey that escaped from a truck accident in Mississippi was shot by a concerned homeowner fearing for her children's safety. The monkey had been part of an animal research study.

In Heidelberg, Mississippi, a monkey that escaped after a truck overturning was fatally shot by a homeowner, Jessica Bond Ferguson, who feared for her children’s safety. This incident raises concerns about public safety and the ethical implications of animal research. The monkeys were reportedly housed at Tulane University’s research facility in New Orleans, although the university affirmed they were not being transported by them.

HEIDELBERG, Miss. (AP) — A monkey that escaped following a truck accident on a Mississippi roadway was shot early Sunday by a local homeowner, Jessica Bond Ferguson, who claimed she acted out of fear for her children’s safety.

Ferguson was alerted by her son, who reported seeing a monkey near their home. Responding to the concern and previous warnings about diseases carried by escaped monkeys, she took her firearm outside, spotted the animal approximately 60 feet away, and shot it twice, resulting in the monkey's death.

“I did what any other mother would do to protect her children,” Ferguson stated to the Associated Press. She has five children aged between 4 and 16 years old.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident in a social media post but did not provide extensive details. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks later took possession of the monkey.

The escaped monkeys are believed to have originated from the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans, which is known for providing primates for scientific research. According to Tulane officials, the monkeys do not belong to the university, and they were not in transport by the institution at the time of the incident.

This tragic event highlights important discussions surrounding animal research, public safety, and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such incidents.