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Mississippi’s Monkey Mayhem Continues: Pastor Joins the Hunt for Escaped Primates
VOSSBERG, MS – The wild tale of escaped research monkeys in rural Mississippi has taken another turn, with a local pastor joining the ranks of residents who’ve taken matters into their own hands. George Barnett, a small-town pastor from Buckatunna, found himself face-to-face with one of the elusive rhesus macaques on Monday, rifle in hand, near his mother’s home in Vossburg.
The incident marks the latest chapter in a saga that began just before Halloween, when a transport truck carrying 21 research primates from the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center overturned in Jasper County.
Barnett’s encounter unfolded late Monday afternoon when his wife, Kerri, spotted a “blur of fur” near a highway exit ramp. The monkey quickly scampered into a tree, flashing its teeth.
Driven by a protective instinct for his community and family, Barnett, 45, grabbed his rifle and fired twice. “As soon as I saw it, the only thing I thought about was, ‘What if this thing attacks one of those people that I grew up with, or my children?’”
Barnett recounted. The shots sent the animal crashing to the ground.
This isn’t the first time a Mississippi resident has taken aim at the runaway primates. On Sunday, Jessica Bond Ferguson of Heidelberg also opened fire, killing a monkey her 16-year-old son spotted outside their home. “I did what any other mother would do to protect her children,” Ferguson told The Associated Press.
With Barnett’s successful hunt, two of the three remaining escapees have been accounted for. One monkey, however, remains at large, and the state Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks continues to warn residents that it may be aggressive.
Initial fears surrounding the escaped monkeys were amplified by incorrect information circulating after the crash. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office initially warned that the monkeys could carry diseases like Covid, hepatitis C, and herpes, leading authorities to kill five primates near the crash site.
Sheriff Randy Johnson later confirmed these concerns were unfounded. Tulane University clarified that the monkeys “had not been exposed to any infectious agents” and sent a team to assist in the recovery efforts.
Thirteen of the original 21 monkeys reached their intended destination. Animal rights organizations, including PETA, have used the incident to highlight the ethical concerns surrounding animals in research, calling for greater transparency and the release of the monkeys’ veterinary records. PreLabs, a biomedical research company, identified the monkeys as theirs, stating they are “cooperating with authorities and reviewing all safety procedures.”
Kristen Moore, director of wildlife for the Hattiesburg Zoo, understands the public’s apprehension but advises residents to maintain distance from the last remaining monkey. She notes that rhesus macaques, native to Asia, typically prefer evasion over aggression and are primarily herbivores, meaning household pets are likely safe.
Barnett initially thought his wife, Kerri, was joking when she pointed out the primate. They were leaving the highway with their two young sons, who had been staying indoors due to the monkey sightings.
“Babe, there’s one of those monkeys,” Kerri said, as Barnett recalls. “This monkey was just walking across the street,” Barnett added, “Almost like he owned the neighborhood.”
After dropping his children at his mother’s, Barnett, an experienced squirrel and deer hunter, returned with his rifle. He estimates the monkey weighed between 35 and 40 pounds, though Moore notes they typically weigh 17 to 20 pounds. After the shots, the monkey fled, and Barnett did not pursue.
Later, a team believed to be from a transport company arrived, tracking the injured monkey with a blood trail and a heat-sensing drone. Kerri Barnett documented the night on Facebook Live, drawing a mix of praise and criticism. However, George Barnett remains confident in his decision, noting that most critics were not local and therefore “don’t have that fear.”
Back in Heidelberg, Mayor Robert Barnett (no relation to George) says online jokes about the apocalypse have been circulating among the town’s 600 residents. Despite sightings of crews in protective gear, the mayor lightheartedly assures residents there’s no quarantine, hoping to avoid fear and deter visitors. “I hated it happened in this type of way,” he said, “but at least people know about Heidelberg right now.”
Meanwhile, Pastor Barnett anticipates some lively discussions at his upcoming Bible study, as congregants are buzzing about his recent adventure. The hunt for the last runaway monkey continues.