On February 26, 2016, Jungle Friends received a heartbreaking email: “I saw people dump a pet carrier on the side of a highway. When I checked it out, there was a terrified, bleeding monkey inside. He had no teeth, patches of missing fur, and a collar around his neck. Everywhere I called refused to take him, and I didn’t want him to be euthanized.” 

The abandoned monkey, later named Mongo, was found at a rest stop in Pennsylvania, prompting a coordinated rescue effort. With the help of the Primate Rescue Center, several drivers, and a volunteer pilot, Mongo made his way to Jungle Friends. Initially starved and frightened, he began to regain strength and confidence with nourishing food and gentle encouragement from the transport team. His name, Mongo, was inspired by the complex character in "Blazing Saddles".

A week after his rescue, Mongo arrived at the sanctuary, where he left his painful past behind. After just two weeks of care, he was transformed—making happy monkey sounds, climbing, and exploring the grass. Most encouraging of all, Mongo became curious about his new monkey neighbors, showing just how far he had come.  

Watch the video of Mongo's arrival to Jungle Friends below: