Miracle pregnancy at Paignton Zoo

Staff at Paignton Zoo are carefully monitoring an extraordinary pregnancy that brings both hope and challenges for one of the world's rarest primates.

Akea, an 18-year-old Diana monkey, is expecting a baby while simultaneously dealing with an ovarian tumour discovered during an ultrasound scan. The birth is expected to take place within the next three to six weeks. 

Nadia Gould, Team Leader of Mammals for Paignton Zoo, commented: 

"This rare situation is something we have never encountered before. After growing concerned that Akea was losing weight, we arranged for her to have a full health check, which included an ultrasound. This investigation showed that Akea was pregnant, which on its own would have been fantastic news. However, they also identified a tumour on her ovaries, which could lead to complications with the birth.” 

The zoo's expert veterinary and keeping teams have established a comprehensive care programme. The primate team spends hours each day with Akea, ensuring she receives the dedicated care needed during this crucial time. Through positive reinforcement training techniques, the keepers enable stress-free health checks and ultrasound scans, which show the baby is developing well. 

Ryan Page, Veterinary Services Manager for Paignton Zoo, commented: 

"Monitoring both mother and baby requires a delicate balance of care and expertise. The collaborative effort between our veterinary and keeping teams ensures optimal conditions for Akea, while our regular health assessments and ultrasound scans allow us to track the development of both mother and baby throughout this unique situation." 

Akea is already a successful mother, having given birth to her daughter Sakari in August 2022. Her gentle nature and strong maternal instincts give the zoo's team confidence in her abilities, though they remain vigilant due to the unique circumstances of this pregnancy. 

Nadia continued: 

"While the health checks are optimistic, we need to err on the side of caution, as the presence of the tumour still poses a risk. We've cared for Akea since birth, so the strong bonds we have built with Akea over the years mean we can provide the best possible support during this crucial time." 

Diana monkeys are classed as Endangered by the IUCN, making every pregnancy crucial for the species' survival. As part of the international breeding programme, Akea's pregnancy exemplifies how the dedication of zoo teams can make a real difference in protecting endangered species for future generations. 

They are one of Africa's most endangered primates, named for their distinctive white brow band reminiscent of the Roman goddess Diana's bow.

"Akea remains comfortable and is displaying normal behaviour patterns, maintaining healthy eating habits and strong engagement with her care team. With the birth expected within the next three to six weeks, we have developed a thorough care plan that prioritises both Akea's health and her ability to focus on raising her new infant, including a planned procedure after the birth to remove the tumour." 

The public can follow this remarkable story as it unfolds by following Paignton Zoo's social media pages or signing up for the zoo's newsletter on their website: paigntonzoo.org.uk