The escape of 21 research monkeys after the truck carrying them crashed on a Mississippi interstate highway is the latest glimpse into the secretive industry of animal research.

A truck carrying the rhesus macaque monkeys overturned in a rural area of Mississippi on Tuesday, spilling wooden crates labelled "live monkeys" into the tall grass near the highway.

Since then, searchers in masks, face shields and other protective equipment have scoured nearby fields and woods for the missing primates.

Thirteen monkeys were recovered, three remain on the loose and five were killed during the search, according to the local sheriff.

Mississippi authorities have not disclosed the company involved in transporting the monkeys, where the monkeys were headed or who owns them.

While Tulane University

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