A monkey diagnosed with an ovarian tumour during pregnancy has “defied medical odds” by successfully giving birth, according to zookeepers.
Eighteen-year-old Akea, a Diana monkey at Paignton Zoo, delivered a healthy infant on Thursday, the zoo announced.
Located in Devon, the zoo described the birth as a “critical milestone” for the conservation of Diana monkeys, which are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Nadia Gould, team leader of mammals, said monitoring Akea and her baby’s development throughout the pregnancy was a “delicate balancing act of nature and medical intervention.” She added that the “complex medical situation” made the birth “particularly remarkable.”
“Throughout her pregnancy, we’ve been carefully monitoring both Akea’s health and the development of her baby while managing the presence of an ovarian tumour,” Gould explained.
“We are overjoyed that she has been able to give birth successfully. Visitors now have the rare opportunity to witness these precious early bonding moments between Akea and her newborn.”
The zoo reported that both mother and baby are doing well. The newborn is Akea’s second offspring, following the birth of Sakari in August 2022.
Paignton Zoo noted that the Diana monkey population continues to decline in their native West African forests due to habitat destruction and hunting.
The newborn will be visible to visitors at Monkey Heights, and the zoo plans to continue monitoring Akea’s health, with a procedure to address her tumour scheduled in the coming months.