Endangered Roloway Monkey Welcomes Newborn After Groundbreaking Surgical Procedure
An endangered roloway monkey whose foot was saved from amputation through pioneering veterinary surgery has successfully given birth to a healthy infant at Chester Zoo. Fifteen-year-old Masaya welcomed baby Lagertha just months after undergoing a complex operation to remove a golf ball-sized mass from her foot, marking a significant conservation milestone.
Innovative Surgical Collaboration Saves Limb
Despite finding no previous examples of such surgery on roloway monkeys, veterinary specialists at Chester Zoo collaborated with surgeons from the University of Liverpool to adapt surgical techniques for the delicate procedure last summer. The innovative approach enabled veterinarians to save all but one of Masaya's toes, preserving her mobility and quality of life.
Zoe Edwards, primate keeper at Chester Zoo, expressed relief at the successful outcome: "Masaya is a very experienced mother and she's parenting magnificently. Lagertha is only a few weeks old and very dinky but already curious about her surroundings. The fact Masaya's foot has healed so well is a huge relief. Had she required amputation, we would have faced serious questions about her ability to hold her offspring or maintain normal behaviors."
Critical Conservation Context
The birth holds particular significance as Chester Zoo represents one of only two UK institutions housing roloway monkeys, with just a few breeding females remaining across Europe. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, fewer than 2,000 of these primates survive in their native habitats of Ghana and Ivory Coast, where they confront severe threats from habitat destruction and poaching.
Lagertha, named after a Viking queen, measures approximately four weeks old and resembles a tennis ball in size. Masaya, now a mother of three, had experienced recurring foot problems since arriving at Chester Zoo in 2023. Veterinary experts suspect the abscess may have originated from an old thorn injury that gradually worsened until swelling necessitated intervention last year.
Complex Medical Journey
When Masaya's condition deteriorated, she was transported to the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital for advanced diagnostic imaging. Charlotte Bentley, veterinary officer at the zoo's animal health centre, described the unusual undertaking: "It's not every day you transport a monkey to veterinary school. We had to bring everything she might require, from anaesthesia equipment to medications and blankets. Following the CT scan, we determined surgery represented the best course forward. She's been an absolute trooper throughout this process, and I'm immensely grateful we could intervene effectively."
Rachel Burrow, veterinarian and lecturer at the University of Liverpool, highlighted the unique challenges: "Working with primates differs substantially from my usual feline and canine patients. Caring for such a rare animal proved a genuine privilege. Witnessing the surgical success brings tremendous satisfaction—she's comfortable, active, and utilizing the limb properly."
This medical achievement demonstrates how specialized veterinary care can directly support conservation efforts for critically endangered species. The successful birth following complex surgery offers renewed hope for the survival of roloway monkeys, while showcasing innovative cross-institutional collaboration between zoological and academic medical communities.
