Zoo officials say the birth is a major milestone for the rare species
Credit: Chester Zoo
NEED TO KNOW
- Endangered monkey, Masaya, gives birth months after life-changing surgery saved her foot
- A rare procedure prevented an amputation and preserved the mother’s ability to care for her baby
- Experts say fewer than 2,000 roloway monkeys remain in the wild
A critically endangered monkey in the U.K. is celebrating a new beginning after overcoming a serious health scare.
According to a press release published by Chester Zoo on Wednesday, March 18, a 15-year-old roloway monkey named Masaya has given birth less than a year after undergoing a complex surgery that saved her foot from amputation.
The procedure, carried out in the summer of 2025, involved removing "a golf ball-sized" mass from Masaya's foot, which had increasingly worsened despite years of testing and treatment. Zoo veterinarians partnered with specialists from the University of Liverpool's Small Animal Teaching Hospital to perform the operation, which ultimately saved all but one of the monkey's toes.
Credit: Chester Zoo
Now, Masaya has welcomed a baby named Lagertha, which experts noted is especially meaningful for the species' survival.
"The fact that Masaya's foot has healed so well is a huge relief," stated the zoo in the release. "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."
Masaya's recovery was critical not just for her well-being, but for conservation efforts. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, fewer than 2,000 roloway monkeys remain in the wild, primarily in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, where habitat loss and poaching continue to threaten the species.
Credit: Chester Zoo
Per the statement, Chester Zoo is one of only two locations in the U.K. that house roloway monkeys, with Masaya considered an important breeding female within the European conservation program.
Her medical journey began after recurring foot issues following her arrival at the zoo in 2023. When swelling intensified in 2025, she was transported for advanced imaging — an unusual move that required a full team and specialized equipment. "It's not every day you take a monkey to vet school," stated veterinary officer Charlotte Bentley. "She's been an absolute trooper all the way through, and I'm just glad we were able to do something for her."
Veterinary surgeon Rachel Burrow added that the procedure was the "last chance" to save the animal's foot, calling it a privilege to treat such a rare creature.
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"Working with primates is completely different from my usual patients, who are typically cats and dogs, and it was a real privilege to care for such a rare animal," shared Burow. "It's great to see the surgery was a success – she's comfortable, active and using the limb well."
Today, Masaya is active, comfortable, healing — and now caring for her newborn, who is already showing signs of her mother's resilience.
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