Endangered Monkey Mom Celebrates New Life

An endangered roloway monkey, Masaya, has successfully given birth to her infant daughter, Lagertha, a significant event following a complex surgical procedure on Masaya's foot. The fifteen-year-old primate underwent an operation last summer to remove a mass from her foot, a procedure adapted by veterinarians at Chester Zoo and surgeons from the University of Liverpool.

This groundbreaking surgery meant that Masaya did not require an amputation and was able to save most of her toes. Masaya is now mother to three offspring, including the new arrival, Lagertha, who is approximately four weeks old and described as dinky yet inquisitive. Masaya had experienced recurring foot issues, likely from an old thorn injury, which worsened and necessitated the surgery.

The roloway monkey is critically endangered, with fewer than 2,000 living in the wild in Ghana and the Ivory Coast due to habitat loss and poaching. Chester Zoo is one of only two locations in the UK housing this species, and there are limited breeding females in Europe, making Masaya's successful recovery and birth particularly vital for conservation efforts.