Monkey Incident Sparks Safety Concerns in Mississippi Neighborhood

Mon Nov 03 2025 08:46:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A monkey that escaped after a truck rollover in Mississippi was shot by a homeowner who feared for her children's safety. The incident has raised concerns over escaped animals from research facilities.

In Heidelberg, Mississippi, a monkey that escaped following a truck accident was shot by a local resident on Sunday morning. Jessica Bond Ferguson, the homeowner, acted out of fear for her children's safety after her son reported seeing the monkey nearby. The municipality had been alerted about the potential dangers posed by the escaped primates. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife has since taken possession of the animal, raising broader questions about safety and escape protocols for research animals.

HEIDELBERG, Miss. (AP) — A monkey that escaped last week after a truck overturned on a Mississippi roadway was shot and killed early Sunday by a homeowner concerned for her children's safety.

Jessica Bond Ferguson said she became alarmed after her 16-year-old son reported seeing a monkey in their yard near Heidelberg, Mississippi. Grabbing her firearm and cellphone, she stepped outside to confront the wildlife.

Having previously been informed about the potential diseases carried by the escaped monkeys, Bond felt compelled to protect her family. I did what any other mother would do to protect her children, she stated, recounting how she shot at the monkey, which subsequently fell after her second shot.

The Jasper County Sheriff's Office confirmed the incident via their social media platform, noting that they were not privy to further details. The monkey was subsequently taken by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

This incident highlights increasing community concerns over the potential risks associated with escaped animals from research facilities. The Rhesus monkeys involved were being housed at the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans and were not directly under the university's transport.