Endangered monkey gives birth after surgery saved her foot from amputation

Masaya gave birth at Chester Zoo after vets removed a golf ball-sized mass from her foot in 2025

A critically endangered monkey has welcomed a baby in a remarkable conservation success story, less than a year after undergoing life-changing surgery that saved her foot from amputation.

The 15-year-old roloway monkey, named Masaya, gave birth at Chester Zoo in the UK after veterinarians successfully removed a golf ball-sized mass from her foot during a complex procedure in 2025.

The operation, carried out with the help of specialists from the University of Liverpool, saved most of Masaya’s foot, with only one toe needing to be removed. The surgery was considered a last-chance effort to preserve her mobility and ability to care for future offspring.

Now, Masaya has given birth to a baby named Lagertha, marking a significant milestone for the species. Zoo experts noted that if her foot had been amputated, it could have affected her ability to hold and care for her newborn.

The birth is especially important because roloway monkeys are critically endangered, with fewer than 2,000 individuals remaining in the wild due to habitat loss and poaching in West Africa.

Masaya’s recovery and successful birth are being celebrated as a rare win for conservation efforts, highlighting how advanced veterinary care can play a crucial role in protecting endangered species.