Chester Zoo Welcomes Family of Endangered West African Roloway Monkeys

CHESTER — Chester Zoo announced on Thursday the arrival of a family of rare Roloway monkeys, one of the world’s most endangered primate species. This significant event brings hope for the conservation of a species teetering on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss in West Africa.

Roloway monkeys, native to countries such as Ivory Coast and Ghana, face severe threats from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and poaching. These activities have reduced their population to just a few hundred individuals worldwide.

Staff at Chester Zoo described the arrival of the monkeys as "incredibly special." The family of four includes mum Masaya, dad Grizu, and their two young sons, Anum and Ilo. These monkeys are distinctive with their dark bodies, white chests, and unique white ruffs around their faces.

The zoo has announced that the Roloway monkey family will be part of an international conservation breeding program aimed at safeguarding their species from extinction.

"In the last few decades alone, Roloway monkeys have experienced a devastating crash in numbers, losing around 90% of their population," said Mike Jordan, Director of Animal and Plants at Chester Zoo. "With these charismatic monkeys now facing imminent extinction in the wild, it will be the role of conservation zoos like ours to do everything possible to help them to recover."

According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Roloway monkeys are listed as critically endangered, indicating the highest conservation priority and a need for urgent action.

The new arrivals at Chester Zoo symbolize a crucial step in international efforts to preserve this endangered species. Conservationists hope that through breeding programs and increased awareness, the Roloway monkeys can be brought back from the brink of extinction and eventually reintroduced into their natural habitats.