Mississippi Mother Fatally Shoots Escaped Lab Monkey After Fearing for Her Children’s Safety
HEIDELBERG, MISSISSIPPI — A mother of five says she feared for her children’s safety when she shot and killed an escaped rhesus monkey that fled from a truck transporting laboratory animals through Jasper County. The animal had escaped after the truck overturned on Interstate 59, releasing several monkeys into nearby wooded areas.
Truck Carrying Research Animals Overturns on I-59
According to authorities, the transport vehicle was carrying 21 rhesus monkeys to a biomedical research facility when it overturned, allowing several of the primates to escape. Local officials and animal control units were dispatched to recover the animals, some of which had scattered across the surrounding neighborhoods and wooded areas near Heidelberg.
One of the monkeys reportedly made its way into the yard of Jessica Bond Ferguson, a mother of five who says she reacted instinctively when her son alerted her to the animal’s presence.
“I Did What Any Other Mother Would Do”
Ferguson told reporters that her 16-year-old son spotted the monkey running close to their home. Fearing the animal might be aggressive or carrying diseases, she retrieved a rifle and fired. “I did what any other mother would do to protect her children,” Ferguson said.
Her decision has drawn mixed reactions online — with some people defending her as a protective parent and others condemning the act as unnecessary harm to a frightened animal.
Officials Confirm No Disease Threat
Investigators later confirmed that the monkeys were being transported to Tulane University’s National Primate Research Center in Louisiana. Contrary to early rumors, officials said the monkeys had not been exposed to any infectious diseases such as COVID-19 or hepatitis.
Of the 21 monkeys involved in the crash, authorities reported that several died at the scene, many were safely recaptured, and a few remained missing as of the last update. Animal control units and research teams continued their recovery efforts into the following day.
Ongoing Debate Over Public Safety and Animal Ethics
The incident has sparked broader conversations about animal transport safety and public response during wildlife encounters. Supporters of Ferguson say she acted out of maternal instinct in a high-stress situation, while critics argue that authorities should have been contacted immediately rather than using deadly force.
Local law enforcement confirmed that Ferguson is not facing charges at this time. Officials continue to monitor the area to ensure no escaped animals pose a risk to the public.
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