A woman named Jessica Bond Ferguson was involved in a tragic incident in Mississippi when she shot a monkey she feared might pose a threat to her children. Her 16-year-old son had spotted the monkey near their home in Heidelberg, prompting her to grab a firearm and investigate. Bond Ferguson fired at the monkey multiple times, concerned about potential disease transmission after warnings that the monkey was escaped and possibly carrying illness.
The situation arose after a truck carrying 21 monkeys overturned on Interstate 59, leading to several escapes. While 13 monkeys were recovered, five died during the search, leaving three still at large. The monkeys were being transported for research to Tulane University’s National Biomedical Research Center. Despite initial fears about the animals’ health risks, officials later confirmed that the monkeys tested free of pathogens. The case underscores concerns about safety and the potential for aggressive behavior from the rhesus macaques. The Mississippi State Highway Patrol is currently investigating the incident.
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