A wild incident unfolded in Mississippi when one of the monkeys that escaped from a truck was shot by a concerned homeowner. Jessica Bond Ferguson, a mother of five, reacted after her 16-year-old son spotted the monkey in their yard. Fearing for her children’s safety, she armed herself and went outside to confront it.
“I did what any mother would do to protect her kids,” she stated. She fired her weapon after being warned by neighbors that the monkeys could be dangerous. Local authorities confirmed that she had indeed found one of the animals, and it was subsequently taken by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
Jessica had initially contacted the police, who advised her to keep an eye on the monkey. However, she felt that letting it roam could put neighboring children at risk. “If it attacked someone, I’d never forgive myself,” she expressed.
The monkeys involved in this incident were Rhesus macaques, known for their medical research use. They were being transported when a truck overturned on Interstate 59. Out of 21 monkeys, 13 were quickly captured, while five died during the search, and three remained at large. The Mississippi Highway Patrol is currently investigating the crash, which occurred about 100 miles from Jackson.
Interestingly, Rhesus macaques can weigh around 16 pounds and are extensively studied in medicine. Despite earlier warnings of potential diseases, Tulane University, where the monkeys were housed before the accident, confirmed that they were pathogen-free and not infectious. Yet, the aggressive nature of the species concerned local officials.
This isn’t the first time monkeys have escaped in the U.S. Just a year ago, 43 Rhesus macaques broke free from a facility in South Carolina due to a mishandled enclosure. In both cases, the risks of aggressive wildlife nearby have sparked conversations about safety in communities.
As people become increasingly aware of such incidents through social media, reactions have varied. Some express concern about wildlife protocols, while others discuss the responsibility of facilities handling animals destined for research.
It’s a reminder that while wildlife can be fascinating, safety must always come first. For more detailed information on Rhesus macaques, you can refer to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife.
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Animals, Mississippi, Jessica Bond Ferguson, Monkeys, General news, SC State Wire, LA State Wire, AP Top News, South Carolina, Louisiana, MS State Wire, Randy Johnson, Education, Climate and environment, Science, Mike Schneider, U.S. news, Climate
