Mississippi mom says she shot escaped monkey to guard youngsters

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A Mississippi mother stated she shot and killed one of many monkeys that escaped after a truck overturned final week, fearing it posed a risk to her youngsters and others within the neighborhood.

Jessica Bond Ferguson informed The Related Press that she was in mattress Sunday when her 16-year-old son alerted her to a monkey operating by the yard of their dwelling close to Heidelberg. Bond Ferguson stated she grabbed her cellphone and a firearm earlier than stepping exterior and recognizing the animal about 60 ft away.

Bond Ferguson, a 35-year-old professional chef , stated she opened hearth out of concern for her youngsters’s security.

"I did what every other mom would do to guard her youngsters," stated Bond Ferguson, who has 5 youngsters ranging in age from 4 to 16. "I shot at it and it simply stood there, and I shot once more, and he backed up and that is when he fell."

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An escaped monkey is seen sitting within the grass Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Heidelberg, Miss. (Picture courtesy of Scotty Ray Report)

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Sunday {that a} home-owner discovered one of many escaped monkeys on their property that morning. In a social media put up, the sheriff’s workplace stated the Mississippi Division of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks had taken custody of the animal however supplied no additional particulars.

Earlier than Bond Ferguson stepped exterior, she stated she referred to as police and was informed to keep watch over the monkey. However she hesitated, apprehensive that if it bought away, it may pose a risk to youngsters at a close-by dwelling.

Particles was seen close to the scene of the Mississippi crash, as authorities tracked down the animals on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Heidelberg, Miss. (Picture courtesy of Scotty Ray Report)

"If it attacked any person's child, and I may have stopped it, that will be so much on me," stated Bond Ferguson. "It is type of scary and harmful that they're operating round, and other people have youngsters enjoying of their yards."

A truck transporting 21 rhesus monkeys overturned Tuesday on Interstate 59 close to Heidelberg, Mississippi, setting off a days-long seek for the escaped animals.

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In accordance with Tulane College, 13 monkeys have been positioned on the crash website and efficiently transported to their meant vacation spot final week. 5 have been killed throughout the search effort, whereas three remained unaccounted for till one was recovered Sunday by a house owner, officers stated.

Two Rehsus monkeys stay on the free as of Monday, with authorities cautioning residents the primates are "aggressive." (Jasper County Sheriff's Division, Mississippi)

The monkeys have been housed on the Tulane Nationwide Primate Analysis Middle in New Orleans , which provides primates to scientific analysis organizations. In a press release, Tulane clarified that the animals weren't owned by the college, nor have been they being transported by college personnel.

Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson stated preliminary experiences from the truck's occupants warned that the monkeys have been harmful and doubtlessly carried illnesses. Nonetheless, Tulane officers later confirmed the monkeys had recently received health screenings and have been pathogen-free.

Folks in protecting clothes search alongside a freeway in Heidelberg, Miss., Wednesday, close to the positioning of an overturned truck that was carrying analysis monkeys. (AP Picture/Sophie Bates)

Regardless of that, Johnson famous that authorities still considered the animals a threat as a consequence of their aggressive nature and said they wanted to be "neutralized."