Forest

By Sam Barron From Daily Voice

Forrest, a rhesus macaque was one of 21 monkeys who were in a truck that overturned in Mississippi in October.

The crash made national headlines, especially after it was revealed six of the monkeys, including Forest, escaped. The monkeys were from a research laboratory at Tulane University.

Forest was the only one of the escapees who survived and he was found after a week on the run.

Because he had spent so much time outside of the facility, he could not return to the research program. 

But thankfully, Popcorn Park Animal Refuge in Forked River stepped in, and now Forest has lifelong sanctuary. The animal refuge said when Forest first arrived, he had no name, only a tattooed identification number.

But now living in the refuge's Monkey House, Forest has been acclimating to his new home.

"He’s getting to know his caretakers and his neighboring monkeys, slowly building trust day by day," the refuge said.

Forest has discovered a love of grapes and has begun vocalizing.

"A good sign that he is becoming more comfortable and confident in his new surroundings," the refuge said.