Oscar, the Best Pal

Sex: Male

Year Born: 2005

Year arrived at Sanctuary: 2018

Species: Rhesus macaque

Newest Friend: Ethel

Favorite Food: Nuts

Likes: Grooming

Dislikes: Rainy days (but loves splashing in his water bucket!)

Oscar was rehomed from animal experimentation into the care of the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in May 2018. Oscar had never walked on grass or earth and was initially afraid to step out of his transport crate. However, within a few hours, he began to explore his new enclosure, which he shared with Creed, who arrived at the same time.

Oscar formed a bond with Creed and they were spotted grooming each other only a few days after arriving at the sanctuary – an important part of primate sociability.

The pair were known as inseparable, lovable rabble-rousers and took a great interest in what was going on around them. This included shouting at caregivers if they saw them carrying another monkey to the clinic, or excitedly egging on disputes between other monkey social groups.

Oscar was the less dominant of the two and was more comfortable around caregivers than his friend was. Oscar would sometimes instigate a game of water splashing with one of his human caregivers, and adopt his "play face" to show he is having fun. If Creed noticed, he would show the caregiver his best "threat face" and Oscar would quickly pretend that he was never cavorting with the "enemy" by pretending to join in with Creed's annoyance!

Sadly, Creed passed away in March 2026, leaving Oscar without his longtime companion. Sanctuary staff is supporting Oscar in this difficult time and encouraging him to form new relationships with other monkeys. He has struck up a friendship with a Japanese macaque named Ethel and we look forward to watching their friendship blossom.

If you adopt Oscar, consider adopting Dawkins, a fellow rhesus macaque rescued from a lab!