Topic: Biology
A critically endangered roloway monkey named Masaya gave birth to a healthy daughter after undergoing complex surgery on her foot. The operation was performed by a team of veterinarians and surgeons from the University of Liverpool's Small Animal Teaching Hospital at Chester Zoo.
A critically endangered roloway monkey has given birth only months after a pioneering operation spared her from having her foot amputated.
Masaya, a 15-year-old roloway monkey living at Chester Zoo, underwent complex surgery last summer after developing a golf-ball-sized mass on her foot. The medical team worked with surgeons from the University of Liverpool's Small Animal Teaching Hospital to remove the mass and preserve as much of the foot as possible.
The operation was successful, allowing Masaya to keep all but one of her toes. Now, Masaya has welcomed a daughter named Lagertha. Primate specialists at Chester Zoo say the young monkey is already showing some of the same character as her mother.
A Last Chance to Save Masaya's Foot Rachel Burrow, a veterinarian and lecturer at the University of Liverpool, helped with both Masaya's CT scan and the subsequent operation. She said: 'This was the last chance to save Masaya's foot before amputation. 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.'
The success of the procedure became even more important after Masaya gave birth. Being able to use her foot normally could play a crucial role in her ability to carry and care for her offspring.
Zoe Edwards, primate keeper at Chester Zoo, said: 'Masaya is a very experienced mum and she's parenting magnificently. Lagertha is only a few weeks old and is very dinky, but already curious about the roloway monkey habitat and inquisitive about us.'
A Significant Birth for a Critically Endangered Species Lagertha is Masaya's third daughter, making the birth especially valuable for a species facing an uncertain future. Zoe added: 'Chester Zoo is one of only two places in the UK that roloway monkeys can be found, and Masaya is very important - not just to her family, but to her whole species.'
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), fewer than two thousand roloway monkeys remain in the wild. Their natural range includes Ghana and the Ivory Coast, where the animals are threatened by both habitat destruction and poaching.
Why It Matters
This story is important because it shows how medical advancements can help endangered species survive and thrive. It also highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect rare animals like the roloway monkey.
Key Facts
- Masaya, a 15-year-old critically endangered roloway monkey, underwent surgery on her foot at Chester Zoo.
- The operation was performed by a team of veterinarians and surgeons from the University of Liverpool's Small Animal Teaching Hospital.
- Masaya gave birth to a healthy daughter named Lagertha only months after the surgery.
- Lagertha is Masaya's third daughter, making the birth especially valuable for a species facing an uncertain future.
- Fewer than two thousand roloway monkeys remain in the wild, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Key Terms
- Critically endangered
- A species that is at high risk of becoming extinct due to various threats.
- CT scan
- A medical imaging technique that uses X-rays and computer technology to produce detailed images of the inside of the body.
- Primate
- A type of mammal that includes monkeys, apes, and lemurs.
Implications
This story is important because it shows how medical advancements can help endangered species survive and thrive. It also highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect rare animals like the roloway monkey.
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