A Mississippi homeowner took drastic action to protect her family, shooting and killing a monkey that had escaped from an overturned truck. The incident, which occurred on October 29, 2025, sparked debate and raised questions about the potential dangers of escaped lab animals.
Jessica Bond Ferguson, a mother of five, was alerted by her son that a monkey was running in their yard near Heidelberg, Mississippi. With her children's safety at stake, she grabbed her firearm and stepped outside, spotting the monkey about 60 feet away. Bond, aware of the potential health risks associated with the escaped monkeys, fired her gun, ultimately causing the monkey to fall.
The Jasper County Sheriff's Office confirmed the incident, stating that a homeowner found one of the monkeys on their property. However, they did not disclose further details. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks took possession of the monkey, and the university that housed the Rhesus monkeys in New Orleans, Louisiana, issued a statement denying any connection to the incident.
Initially, the sheriff's office claimed the monkeys were carrying diseases, including herpes. Yet, Tulane University, the institution housing the monkeys, refuted this, asserting that the monkeys had not been exposed to any infectious agents. The situation was further complicated when the sheriff's office later reported that three monkeys remained at large, contradicting their earlier statement.
This incident highlights the challenges and ethical considerations surrounding the transportation and containment of lab animals, especially when they escape and pose potential risks to the public. It also underscores the importance of accurate and timely information dissemination during such events.
