A New Arrival and a Remarkable Recovery: Endangered Monkey Welcomes Baby After Life-Saving Surgery
In a heartwarming display of resilience and new life, an endangered roloway monkey, who recently underwent a groundbreaking surgical procedure to save her foot, has given birth to a healthy baby girl. The proud mother, a 15-year-old named Masaya, welcomed her precious offspring, Lagertha, into the world just months after a complex operation to remove a golf ball-sized mass from her limb. This remarkable story highlights the dedication of veterinary professionals and the incredible strength of these rare primates.
Masaya’s journey to motherhood was far from straightforward. Last summer, she faced the grim possibility of amputation due to a persistent, golf ball-sized growth on her foot. Vets at Chester Zoo, faced with a lack of prior surgical precedents for roloway monkeys, embarked on a pioneering approach. Collaborating with surgeons from the University of Liverpool, the dedicated team meticulously adapted techniques to tackle the unusual challenge. Their expertise and innovation proved successful, managing to save all but one of Masaya’s toes, a significant victory that ensured her ability to navigate her environment and, crucially, care for her future offspring.
The resulting images of Masaya and her new baby are a testament to their burgeoning bond. In one tender shot, Masaya is seen cradling her tiny daughter, Lagertha, in a moment of profound connection captured for the camera. Another photograph offers a delightful glimpse into Lagertha’s early explorations, showcasing her sprightly, albeit small, leaps within the familiar surrounds of her home at Chester Zoo.
Zoe Edwards, a primate keeper at the zoo, expressed her delight and relief at the successful birth and Masaya’s exemplary parenting. “Masaya is a very experienced mum, and she’s parenting magnificently,” Edwards stated. “Lagertha is only a few weeks old and is very dinky, but already curious about the roloway monkey habitat and inquisitive about us.”
The successful healing of Masaya’s foot has been a source of immense relief for the zoo staff. Edwards elaborated on the critical importance of the successful surgery: “The fact Masaya’s foot has healed so well is a huge relief. If she’d had an amputation, we’d have been left with real questions about whether she could hold her offspring or continue with her normal behaviours.”
Lagertha, named in honour of a formidable Viking queen, is a mere four weeks old and currently about the size of a tennis ball. Her arrival is particularly significant given the endangered status of roloway monkeys. Chester Zoo is one of only two locations in the United Kingdom where these primates can be found. Furthermore, Ms. Edwards noted that there are only a handful of breeding females across Europe, underscoring the importance of successful breeding programs like the one at Chester.
Masaya, now a mother of three, had been experiencing ongoing issues with her foot since her arrival at Chester in 2023. Vets suspect that the abscess that necessitated the surgery may have stemmed from an old thorn injury, a common hazard in natural environments. The successful removal of the mass and the subsequent full recovery of her foot have allowed Masaya to embark on this new chapter of motherhood with confidence and capability. The birth of Lagertha is not just a joyous occasion for the zoo but also a vital contribution to the conservation efforts for this critically endangered species.
