Monkey Escape in Mississippi: A Mother's Fear Leads to Tragic End

Mon Nov 03 2025 09:09:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A Mississippi homeowner shoots an escaped monkey, fearing for her children's safety. The incident follows a truck accident that released several monkeys into the wild.

Last week, a truck accident in Mississippi resulted in several monkeys escaping, including one that met a tragic end. Jessica Bond Ferguson, a local mother, spotted the monkey and, fearing for her children’s safety due to warnings about the diseases the monkeys might carry, shot the animal. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife later took possession of the deceased monkey. Officials confirmed the escaped monkeys were housed at the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center.

HEIDELBERG, Miss. (AP) — One of the monkeys that escaped last week after a truck overturned on a Mississippi roadway was shot and killed by a homeowner, who feared for the safety of her children.

Jessica Bond Ferguson reported her 16-year-old son spotted a monkey in their yard near Heidelberg and, taking precautions, she stepped outside with a firearm. Citing warnings about the potential diseases these monkeys might carry, she took the unfortunate step of shooting it.

Bond stated, I did what any other mother would do to protect her children. The incident has raised discussions regarding the implications of such escapes and the safety measures residents should take.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the shooting and indicated that the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks took possession of the monkey.

The escaped monkeys were previously housed at the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans. Tulane clarified that the monkeys do not belong to them and were not in transit by the university.