Crews continue to hunt for three ‘aggressive’ research monkeys who escaped truck crash on Mississippi highway

The truck carrying Rehsus monkeys from Tulane University in New Orleans crashed on Interstate 59

Three “aggressive” monkeys are still on the loose after a truck transporting them overturned in Mississippi, officials confirmed.

The truck was loaded with caged Rehsus monkeys when it crashed on Interstate 59, north of Heidelberg, on Tuesday. It is still not clear what caused the truck to overturn.

Despite reports initially suggesting that the monkeys were carrying infectious diseases - including hepatitis C, herpes and Covid-19 - Tulane University, where they were being housed, denied that was the case.

“The primates...aren't infectious. We're actively collaborating with local authorities & will send a team of animal care experts to assist as needed,” the university wrote.

Tulane stressed to The Independent that the monkeys “have not been exposed to any infectious agent.”

A truck hauling ‘aggressive’ monkeys thought to be carrying hepatitis C, herpes and Covid-19 has overturned in Mississippi, with at least one on the loose, according to authorities (Getty Images)

The monkeys, which the Associated Press say are among the most medically studied in the world, were being transported to a testing facility in Florida, Connecticut, WFSB reported.

Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson told local outlet WAPT that 21 monkeys were on the truck, six of whom initially escaped.

"The monkey that got away actually crossed interstate, went out into a wooded area," Johnson said.

Initial reports suggested only one monkey was still on the loose, but after Jasper County officials were able to reach the wreck safely, they discovered two others had also fled from the wreck,

“The driver of the truck told local law enforcement that the monkeys were dangerous and posed a threat to humans,” the department wrote in a Facebook post, warning the public they were “aggressive.”

Tulane previously told The Independent that the monkeys left the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center in Covington, Louisiana, and were traveling to a non-Tulane-affiliated location.

“The primates in question belong to another entity,” the university said, adding that they were not being transported by a Tulane-affiliated service.

The truck was loaded with caged Rehsus monkeys when it crashed on Interstate 59, north of Heidelberg, on Tuesday (Jasper County Sheriff's Department)

The monkeys that escaped and were recovered have been destroyed, according to officials.

Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries also responded to the scene.

Tulane will send a team to pick up the monkeys that are still caged on Wednesday, according to authorities.

In the wake of the incident, PETA issued a statement, calling the incident an example of the risks posed by the “greedy monkey experimentation industry.”