Lab Monkeys Escape After Mississippi Crash Raises Biohazard Concerns

A crash involving a truck transporting 21 rhesus macaques from Tulane University’s National Primate Research Center has left the insurance claims, public safety, and animal research communities seeking clarity. Eight monkeys were ejected during the wreck in Jasper County, Mississippi, sparking a multi-agency search and response effort that included viral infection fears and fatal shootings of five animals.

Initial reports from local authorities incorrectly stated the monkeys were infected with dangerous viruses like herpes and COVID-19, raising public concern. Tulane later denied those claims, and questions remain about the animals’ ownership, final destination, and why lethal force was used. Investigators from the Mississippi Highway Patrol and Wildlife Department have not released further details, and Tulane has distanced itself from the transport, highlighting the murky logistics and accountability gaps in animal research transfers.

For claims adjusters, this incident spotlights the liabilities and biohazard protocols associated with transporting live research animals. Issues like miscommunication between agencies, misinformation, and lack of clear custodianship could complicate claims processing and liability assessments. It also reignites the debate over the insurance and regulatory oversight required for high-risk animal logistics, especially when dealing with federally regulated research centers.