Overview
- A transport truck overturned on I-59 north of Heidelberg in Jasper County on Tuesday, allowing several rhesus monkeys to escape, according to the sheriff's office.
- Local authorities said all escaped animals except one were killed, and they warned residents not to approach the remaining primate and to call 911 if seen.
- Initial assertions that the monkeys carried diseases such as hepatitis C, herpes and COVID-19 were relayed to deputies by the truck driver, officials said.
- Tulane University stated the primates are not infected and said the animals belong to another entity, with its animal-care team dispatched to assist recovery.
- State wildlife officials and a private animal-removal company joined the effort to locate and contain the last monkey as the search and public-safety messaging continued.