Darwin the Ikea monkey’s former owner has been ordered to pay more than $83,000 in legal fees to the animal sanctuary that won the tiny primate’s custody battle last year.

“We’re certainly pleased with the decision,” said Kevin Toyne, the lawyer who represented Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, where Darwin has been living since his world-famous romp through a North York branch of the Swedish furniture store in December 2012. Toyne worked pro bono on the case.

Toyne said it’s not unusual for judges to grant cost awards to the winning side of civil lawsuits, even if their lawyers work for free. He had argued Yasmin Nakhuda, who has likened the Japanese Macaque to a “son,” should pay his client more than $122,000.

“Parties that are represented pro bono are entitled to seek and receive cost awards in certain circumstances, and we’re pleased that the judge awarded them to us in this case,” Toyne said.

Nakhuda’s lawyer, Ted Charney, declined to comment on the decision. Nakhuda could not be reached on Friday.

In a statement through her lawyer, Story Book Farm’s Sherri Delaney provided an update on the monkey’s condition.

“Darwin continues to grow and thrive at the Sanctuary. Over the next couple of months, we are looking forward to introducing him to our two newest macaque residents, Boo and Gerdie,” she said.

Images of Darwin wearing a mini-shearling coat as he scampered through the store bounced around the world and brought intense media scrutiny to Nakhuda’s legal battle to get him back.

In September, Justice Mary Vallee ruled that animal services had the right to take Darwin away following the Ikea incident, stating the monkey is a wild animal that could have “illegally imported monkey disease” if left in Nakhuda’s possession as a pet.

Nakhuda is pursuing an appeal of Vallee’s September decision.

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