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Forrest — Last Rhesus Macaque from Mississippi Crash Rescued and Given Sanctuary in New Jersey

02:38 PM, 12/03/2025
Forrest — Last Rhesus Macaque from Mississippi Crash Rescued and Given Sanctuary in New Jersey

On Oct. 28 a van carrying 21 rhesus macaques overturned in Mississippi; five were shot by law enforcement, 13 were secured and three escaped. Two escapees were later shot by residents, and the final runaway — tattooed "NI 62" — was rescued and named Forrest. Forrest has been taken to Popcorn Park Animal Refuge in Forked River, New Jersey, where he is slowly acclimating and showing signs of comfort. The incident renewed calls from advocacy groups to reform primate transport and research, and the CDC has announced a phase-out of experiments on monkeys.

On Oct. 28 a transport van overturned on a Mississippi highway while carrying 21 rhesus macaques that were being moved for biomedical research. The crash set off a chaotic response: five animals were fatally shot by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, 13 were recovered and secured in cages, and three escaped.

Final escapee found and given a new home

The final runaway, identified at arrival only by the tattooed ID number NI 62, was safely rescued this week and given the name Forrest. Popcorn Park Animal Refuge in Forked River, New Jersey, accepted him after staff determined that, having spent time outside the transport system, he could not be returned to a research program.

At the sanctuary, Forrest has been placed in the Monkey House where caregivers report he is slowly acclimating to his new surroundings and to neighboring monkeys. Staff say he is beginning to build trust, has developed food preferences (grapes top the list), and has started vocalizing — encouraging signs that he is becoming more comfortable and confident.

Casualties, responsibility and broader reaction

In the days after the crash, two of the escapees were shot by local residents, bringing the on-scene fatalities to seven in total. Tulane National Primate Research Center — the origin point for the animals’ transport — has said it did not own the monkeys and was not responsible for their transport arrangements.

Animal-advocacy organizations seized on the incident to press for changes. Lisa Jones-Engel, senior science advisor on primate experimentation at PETA, described Forrest’s survival as “a rare thread of mercy” and used the episode to call attention to systemic problems in the capture, transport and use of primates in research. Other groups, including the White Coat Waste Project, urged federal agencies to re-evaluate funding and oversight.

In response to growing scrutiny, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced plans to phase out experiments on monkeys. Supporters of the move said it addresses long-standing concerns about disease risks, transport lapses and scientific limitations of some primate-based research models.

What comes next for Forrest

Popcorn Park staff say Forrest will remain under close care and gradually integrated with other monkeys at the refuge. While the timeline for his full recovery is not fixed, caregivers report steady progress in his socialization and wellbeing as he adapts to sanctuary life.

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Forrest — Last Rhesus Macaque from Mississippi Crash Rescued and Given Sanctuary in New Jersey - CRBC News