A rhesus macaque named Forrest, who spent several days on the run after escaping from a truck crash on a rural Mississippi highway, is now living at a wildlife sanctuary in New Jersey.
On October 28, a truck carrying 21 monkeys for biomedical research flipped over on Interstate 59, just north of Heidelberg. The aftermath was chaotic; five monkeys lost their lives right after the accident, while police were busy searching for the others.
Body camera footage from officers showed a scene filled with disorder, as monkeys fled from their crates and dashed across the interstate, some even darting toward oncoming traffic.
Forrest, along with two other monkeys, managed to elude authorities at the scene and got away. Unfortunately, the other two were later shot by locals who felt threatened, while Forrest remained loose for nearly a week before being spotted by nearby residents.
He was eventually captured by staff from the company that had been transporting the monkeys. Residents were warned against approaching rhesus macaques due to their aggressive nature.
Now, Forrest has moved to Popcorn Park Animal Sanctuary in Lacey Township, New Jersey. He’s reportedly adapting well to his new surroundings and is slowly forming a bond with his caretakers. His diet now includes animal grains, grapes, and peanuts.
The sanctuary is also seeking donations to support Forrest’s ongoing care.
