Chester Zoo's Miracle Monkey Birth: Critically Endangered Roloway Primate Born After Life-Saving Surgery
A critically endangered roloway monkey at Chester Zoo has given birth to a healthy infant after her keepers performed life-saving surgery to save her foot — a remarkable outcome that conservationists are calling a double triumph for one of the world's most threatened primates.
Masaya, a 15-year-old roloway monkey, underwent the procedure after suffering a serious injury to her foot. Vets at the zoo feared for her survival, but the operation was a success — and weeks later, Masaya gave birth, bringing fresh hope to a species on the brink of extinction.
Background
The roloway monkey is one of the most critically endangered primates on Earth, found only in the rainforests of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire in West Africa. The species has been devastated by habitat destruction and hunting, with wild population numbers having collapsed dramatically in recent decades. Chester Zoo is one of a small number of institutions worldwide participating in a coordinated breeding programme to safeguard the species' survival.
Key Developments
Masaya's injury presented the zoo's veterinary team with a difficult challenge: the surgery carried significant risks, but without it, her long-term welfare could not be assured. The team proceeded with the operation, and Masaya made a strong recovery. Her subsequent pregnancy and the birth of a healthy infant have been described by zoo staff as an extraordinary outcome — a testament to the dedication of the keepers and vets who cared for her throughout.
The birth adds a precious new individual to the global captive population of roloway monkeys and represents a meaningful contribution to the species' survival. Chester Zoo's conservation team works closely with partners in West Africa to protect wild roloway populations and their habitat.
Why It Matters
Every birth of a critically endangered species in a managed conservation programme matters enormously. For the roloway monkey, whose wild numbers are perilously low, each new individual represents a potential lifeline for the species. Chester Zoo's success with Masaya is a reminder of the vital role that zoos play in conservation — not just as places of public education, but as active participants in the fight to prevent extinction.
What's Next
Masaya and her infant are being closely monitored by the zoo's primate team. Chester Zoo has not yet announced the infant's name or sex. The zoo continues to support field conservation projects in West Africa aimed at protecting the remaining wild roloway monkey population and its rainforest habitat.
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