Mississippi Mother Shoots Monkey to Protect Children
A Mississippi mother took drastic action by shooting a monkey that had escaped from an overturned truck, reportedly to protect her kids. Multiple reports highlight that the monkey was acting aggressively after the incident.
The truck was transporting 21 rhesus macaques from a biomedical research center affiliated with Tulane University when it overturned on Interstate 59, north of Heidelberg, which is about 135 miles southeast of Jackson, Mississippi. The police confirmed that several monkeys were seen wandering in the area following the crash.
“It’s unfortunate that this happened, but I will protect my children at all costs,” she stated, emphasizing her maternal instinct amidst the chaos.
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office released a warning saying, “If you see a monkey, please do not approach it. Please call 911. Monkeys can pose a health threat and are aggressive.”
Interestingly, officials from Tulane clarified that the university does not transport these monkeys, and they have no affiliation with the incident. The animals, as reported, were actually provided to other research institutions to aid in scientific research.
Initial claims from the truck’s occupants suggested that the monkeys might be carrying harmful diseases like hepatitis C, herpes, or even coronavirus. However, the biomedical research company responsible for the monkeys refuted these claims, asserting that the animals were not infected with any such diseases while emphasizing that they were being transported in compliance with federal and state regulations.
Following the accident, 13 monkeys were quickly recovered, but five others were killed at the scene, leaving three still on the run. Jessica Bond Ferguson, the 35-year-old mother, was alerted to the presence of a monkey by her son. She recalled that upon finding the monkey about 60 feet away, she felt compelled to take action for her children’s safety.
She noted, “I did what any other mother would do to protect their children.” After shooting the monkey, she expressed her concerns about the potential danger of having wild animals running free so close to her home and the lack of proper management in finding the escaped monkeys.
Meanwhile, a local pastor named Rev. George Barnett also encountered another escaped monkey while driving with his family. After seeing the monkey behavior, which included baring its teeth, he felt the need to intervene and shot the animal as well, fearing for the safety of people in his community.
The last of the escaped monkeys was eventually captured, thanks to tips from local residents. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks confirmed the recovery. Meanwhile, the incident is under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
Authorities have yet to comment further on the situation, and the community continues to grapple with the implications of this unusual wildlife encounter.
