A truck carrying rhesus monkeys from Tulane University in New Orleans overturned on a Mississippi highway, releasing several aggressive animals into the community. The crash happened north of Heidelberg and immediately triggered a large-scale search effort involving multiple agencies.

According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, the animals weighed about 40 pounds each and were described as “aggressive to humans.” Authorities warned residents not to approach the monkeys under any circumstances.

“The monkeys are approximately 40lbs, they are aggressive to humans, and they require PPE [personal protective equipment] to handle,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a Facebook post.

Deputies also confirmed the primates carry multiple diseases, including hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID. Officials said at least one monkey remains on the loose.

“We are continuing to look for the one monkey that is still on the loose,” the sheriff’s office said in a public update. “Do not approach the monkeys if you see one. Call 911.”

By late afternoon, most of the escaped animals had been “destroyed” for safety reasons, though one has still not been found. The sheriff’s office said animal control and disposal teams were called in to handle the situation and ensure no further public health risk.

Tulane University told Fox News Digital that its National Biomedical Research Center supplies nonhuman primates to other research organizations across the country.

“The primates in question belong to another entity and are not infectious,” the university said. “We are actively collaborating with local authorities and will send a team of animal care experts to assist as needed.”

Tulane officials did not confirm exactly how many monkeys were being transported or how many had escaped following the crash.

Local police have been coordinating with Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries, as well as the Department of Health, to locate the remaining animal and ensure no contact with humans occurs.

When a resident asked on Facebook whether the sheriff’s office post was a joke, officials replied, “Unfortunately not.”

Animal rights activists reacted sharply to the incident. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued a statement blasting Tulane and the research industry for transporting primates on public highways.

PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said, “Terrified monkeys running for their lives into unprotected, populated areas is exactly the spark that could ignite the next pandemic.”

She added, “Monkeys can carry diseases transmissible to humans, including tuberculosis, and Tulane National Primate Research Center, where these monkeys were trucked from, has had disease outbreaks of pathogens deadly to humans in its monkey colony.”

Guillermo said the use of monkeys in research “is emptying the world’s forests while putting Americans at great risk.” She called on Tulane and other research groups to end the practice altogether.

“This is the risk the greedy monkey experimentation industry has chosen for the public,” Guillermo wrote. “These sensitive monkeys crisscross American highways in unmarked trucks.”

While activists condemned the use of research animals, local officials focused on protecting nearby residents. Law enforcement warned anyone who might see the remaining primate to keep their distance and immediately contact authorities.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office said updates will continue to be released as the search for the last monkey continues.