BEEN CHARGED WITH SHOOTING INTO AN OCCUPIED DWELLING AND DRIVE BY SHOOTING. THE SEARCH FOR THREE ESCAPED MONKEYS IN JASPER COUNTY IS NEARING DAY TWO, AFTER A TRUCK CARRYING RESEARCH ANIMALS CRASHED YESTERDAY…SENDING SEVERAL INTO THE WOODS. DAVE WETZEL… DIRECTOR OF THE JACKSON ZOO, HAS SPENT 45 YEARS WORKING WITH ANIMALS, INCLUDING TRAINING MONKEYS THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER. HE SAYS MOST PRIMATES TYPICALLY CARRY SOME FORM OF HERPES VIRUS. WETZEL IS URGING THE PUBLIC, IF YOU SEE ONE OF THE ESCAPED MONKEYS…DO NOT ENGAGE. INSTEAD, CALL AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY. WETZEL BELIEVES THE THREE MONKEYS WILL LIKEL
‘These animals are undoubtedly scared out of their little monkey minds,’ an expert says
Animal expert responds to the search for missing monkeys in Mississippi
Updated: 7:04 AM CDT Oct 30, 2025
The search for three monkeys that escaped after a truck accident in Jasper County is ongoing. Experts are advising caution due to potential health risks. Dave Wetzel, director of the Jackson Zoo, has been working with animals for 45 years and has trained monkeys throughout his career. He noted that most primates typically carry a herpes virus and advised the public to avoid engaging with the monkeys and to contact authorities if they are spotted.”It’s just better to be cautious; these animals are undoubtedly scared out of their little monkey minds,” Wetzel said. “They are in an environment they don’t understand; they’ve never been in it, and there are people chasing them. They are going to be very nervous and very edgy for a while.”Wetzel also mentioned that if the three monkeys are found, they will most likely be together because they are pack animals.
JACKSON, Miss. —
The search for three monkeys that escaped after a truck accident in Jasper County is ongoing.
Experts are advising caution due to potential health risks.
Dave Wetzel, director of the Jackson Zoo, has been working with animals for 45 years and has trained monkeys throughout his career. He noted that most primates typically carry a herpes virus and advised the public to avoid engaging with the monkeys and to contact authorities if they are spotted.
“It’s just better to be cautious; these animals are undoubtedly scared out of their little monkey minds,” Wetzel said. “They are in an environment they don’t understand; they’ve never been in it, and there are people chasing them. They are going to be very nervous and very edgy for a while.”
Wetzel also mentioned that if the three monkeys are found, they will most likely be together because they are pack animals.