Weeks before giving birth, a monkey Roloway of the Chester Zoo She was operated on for the first time in captivity, a procedure that tested the veterinary ability to care for a species at serious risk. The successful birth of its calf after the intervention offers respite for breeding programs, but underlines the urgency of protecting the West African forests where these primates still survive.
The mother, known as happyarrived at the veterinary center after persistent inflammation was detected in one of his legs. Specialists diagnosed an abscess which, over time, worsened and required more advanced tests at the University of Liverpool.
An unprecedented operation
The veterinary team decided to intervene surgically: they removed the lesion – a considerable mass on the limb – and partially amputated one of his fingers to ensure recovery. The operation was performed in a university hospital specialized in small animals, a decision that sought to minimize risks for both the mother and the pregnancy.
After surgery, Masaya’s recovery allowed her to continue normal maternal behaviors and, weeks later, she gave birth to a female named Lagertha. The zoo team highlighted that maintaining the functionality of the paw was crucial for the mother to be able to support her calf and fulfill her natural care.
Why does this matter now?
He Roloway is considered critically endangered by IUCN. Once abundant in the rainforests of Ghana and the Ivory Coast, they now survive only in fragments of ancient forest, limiting the chances of their populations recovering in the wild.
- State: Critically endangered.
- Habitat: Fragmented primary forests in Ghana and Ivory Coast.
- Captive breeding: Chester Zoo recorded the first precautionary birth of the species in 2020; Lagertha is the third calf there since then.
- UK network: Only two facilities maintain breeding females in the country: Chester Zoo y Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
- Veterinary intervention: CT for diagnosis, surgery to drain and remove the lesion, and partial amputation to ensure mobility.
Conservation specialists agree that zoo breeding programs are, for now, the most viable tool to sustain the species until its native forests have effective protection from hunting and logging.
In addition to the immediate value for the health of Masaya and her offspring, the case demonstrates that zoological centers and veterinary faculties can successfully collaborate in complex procedures on exotic and fragile animals from a population point of view. This technical capacity increases the chances that more individuals can be cared for and maintained in reproductive conditions.
However, experts insist that captive breeding is no substitute for in situ conservation: without sustained measures to stop habitat loss and hunting, the long-term survival of the Roloway will remain at risk.
The birth of Lagertha, then, is good news that comes with a clear warning: gaining time with captive breeding only makes sense if it can be translated into policies and actions that ensure the protection of the forests where these monkeys can still live.
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Alonso Delgado covers the international news with rigor. You’ll find accurate and relevant reporting on major global events, from political crises to diplomatic breakthroughs.
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