Mississippi Mother Shoots Monkey After Wild Escape Incident

digital currency On the morning of October 28, a bizarre incident unfolded in Mississippi when a truck carrying monkeys overturned on a roadway, leading to the escape of several primates. Among the escaped monkeys, one was fatally shot by a local resident, Jessica Bond Ferguson, who acted out of concern for her children's safety.

Jessica Bond Ferguson was alerted in the early hours of Sunday by her 16-year-old son, who reported seeing what he believed to be a monkey running in their yard, located near Heidelberg, Mississippi. Concerned for her children's well-being, Bond quickly got out of bed, armed herself with a firearm, and grabbed her cellphone before stepping outside to investigate.

Upon exiting her home, Bond spotted the monkey approximately 60 feet (18 meters) away. Given warnings from local authorities about the potential health risks associated with the escaped monkeys, including the possibility of disease, she felt compelled to take action. Bond recounted her decision, stating, “I did what any other mother would do to protect her children.” She fired her weapon at the animal, and after her initial shot failed to deter it, she fired again, ultimately causing it to retreat and fall.

The Jasper County sheriff's office confirmed the incident in a social media post, noting that a homeowner had encountered one of the escaped monkeys on their property that Sunday morning. While the sheriff's office did not provide extensive details, they mentioned that the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks took custody of the deceased monkey.

The Rhesus monkeys involved in this incident were housed at the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. This facility routinely supplies primates for scientific research purposes. Contrary to initial reports, Tulane University clarified that these monkeys do not belong to them and were not being transported by the university during this incident.

Initial statements from the Jasper sheriff's office suggested that the monkeys might be carriers of diseases, including herpes. However, Tulane University countered this claim, stating that the monkeys “have not been exposed to any infectious agent.”

Following the shooting, the sheriff's office initially reported that all but one of the monkeys had been killed. However, they later updated their statement, indicating that three additional monkeys remained at large, prompting ongoing search efforts in the area.

This unusual incident highlights the challenges and dangers that can arise from wildlife escaping captivity. It serves as a reminder of the responsibilities associated with handling animals, particularly those that may pose a risk to public safety. As the search for the remaining monkeys continues, the community remains vigilant, hoping for a resolution to this unexpected wildlife encounter.