Monkey On the Loose Shot by Mississippi Homeowner Amid Safety Concerns

Mon Nov 03 2025 09:04:33 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A homeowner in Heidelberg, Mississippi, shot and killed a Rhesus monkey that escaped following a truck accident last week. The incident has raised concerns about wildlife safety in residential areas.

A monkey, part of a group that escaped after a truck accident in Mississippi, was shot by a concerned homeowner early Sunday morning after being spotted in her yard. Jessica Bond Ferguson, the homeowner, reported seeing the monkey and fired her weapon, fearing for her children's safety. This incident has sparked discussions on the implications of escaped research animals in suburban neighborhoods.

HEIDELBERG, Miss. (AP) — A Rhesus monkey that escaped from a transport truck following an accident on a Mississippi roadway was shot early Sunday by a local homeowner concerned for her family's safety. Jessica Bond Ferguson confirmed that she acted out of fear for her children after her son reported seeing the monkey in their yard.

With knowledge of health risks associated with escaped monkeys, Bond stated she felt compelled to protect her children. I did what any other mother would do to protect her children, Bond explained. She fired shots at the monkey approximately 60 feet away, ultimately killing it after it backed away from her.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office has acknowledged the incident and stated that the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks took possession of the deceased monkey. The monkeys had previously been housed at the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center. Tulane announced that they were not responsible for the transportation of the animals when the accident occurred.