A crash involving a laboratory transport truck in Mississippi last month led to the escape of eight monkeys, with seven being shot and killed. Such occurrences are not unique; more than 15 escapes of lab monkeys have been documented in the last two decades, both during transit and from labs, including incidents in California, the Southwest, and Oregon National Primate Research Centers.

In 2022, a truck transporting 100 macaques collided in Pennsylvania. Last year, 43 monkeys fled a facility in South Carolina due to employee error, reflecting a trend of mishandling that has allegedly resulted in monkey fatalities.

In Oregon, nine monkeys broke free from a NIH-funded research center due to unsecured enclosures, with numerous escape events often going unreported. A visit to these centers illustrates meticulously managed public perceptions, lacking transparency, which is often only exposed through whistleblowing or legal action.

Following a recent accident, Tulane University and the USDA continue to withhold information regarding monkey transport and research practices. Public knowledge remains minimal; a survey indicated that 85% of Americans support the gradual elimination of animal testing in favor of contemporary methods.

There is a pressing need for transparency and accountability in animal research. A bipartisan proposal, the Federal Animal Research Accountability Act, could enhance transparency by mandating reports on animals used in federally financed research. Moreover, the NIH RePORTER database could be expanded to include vertebrate animal data for public awareness.

Concerns are also mounting about the international monkey trade for research purposes, with allegations of illegal capture of wild animals and suggested trade restrictions on endangered species such as long-tailed macaques. As a leading importer, the U.S. should advocate for bans to safeguard at-risk species.

Progress in human-centered research techniques offers a chance to diminish monkey research, while forthcoming transparency initiatives and trade limitations could ensure essential oversight and protection for animals.