The wreckage of a transport truck became a gateway to freedom for a group of monkeys in Mississippi, triggering a frantic search and a wave of fear. The incident began last week when the vehicle, carrying primates for research, crashed, scattering its unusual cargo along a rural highway.
Initially, reports circulated that the Rhesus monkeys might carry herpes and even Covid-19, fueling public anxiety. The laboratory involved insisted the animals were not infectious, but the warning did little to quell the growing unease as the monkeys disappeared into the surrounding landscape.
One by one, the escaped primates were either captured or, tragically, met a fatal end. The latest incident involved a mother protecting her family. Jessica Bond Ferguson, alerted by her teenage son, found a monkey in her yard just before dawn.
Armed with a firearm and her phone, Ferguson confronted the animal from a distance of sixty feet. Remembering the warnings about potential diseases, she fired, ultimately shooting and killing the monkey. She described her actions as a mother’s instinct to safeguard her five children, ranging in age from four to sixteen.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks confirmed that two monkeys have now been “recovered deceased,” leaving only one still unaccounted for. Authorities continue to urge the public not to approach the remaining monkey, emphasizing its potential for aggressive behavior.
The transport company, a biomedical research support organization, stated the monkeys were being lawfully transported to a licensed research facility. They reiterated their claim that the animals were healthy and expressed cooperation with authorities to review safety protocols.
This incident has cast a stark light on the often-hidden world of animal research, raising questions about transparency and the details surrounding these sensitive operations. The search for the final monkey continues, a somber reminder of the chaotic aftermath of the crash.
The image of a mother defending her children against a perceived threat has become central to the story, highlighting the fear and uncertainty that gripped the community. The remaining monkey’s fate remains unknown, adding a layer of suspense to an already unsettling situation.
