On 9 April 2026, Fort Foch unveiled a work of art dedicated to the non-human primates who, over the decades, have contributed to advances in biomedical research supported by the SILABE platform. This sculpture pays tribute to Kojack, a rhesus macaque who spent 32 years and 6 months at Fort Foch, an exceptionally long lifespan compared with the average observed in the wild (around 20 years). Her distinctive appearance, completely devoid of hair, turned her as SILABE's emblematic mascot and favoured a chosen nickname inspired from the famous 1970s television series.
Through this act, SILABE wishes to express its deep and lasting gratitude to all the non-human primates whose role has enabled crucial discoveries in science and medicine. The platform thus reaffirms its ongoing commitment to responsible research, research that places respect, ethics, and animal welfare at the heart of every project, while continuing to honour those who, through their lives and sacrifices, pave the way for new treatments and better health for all.
