Scientists have identified a new species of monkey in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking the discovery of an orange-lipped monkey species not previously known to science.
The animal, formally named Colobus congoensis, was found living in the dense forests of Lomami National Park in east-central Congo and is known locally as “Likweli.”
The discovery is detailed in a study published Wednesday in the journal PLoS One. The research was led by John A. Hart of the Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation in Kinshasa, along with a team of scientists from Congo and the United States.
New ‘orange-lipped monkey’ species linked to ancient relative
The monkey has mostly black fur, but its face carries a distinctive orange and cream colored patch around the mouth and nose, standing out against otherwise dark skin. It also has a white patch of fur near its tail.
Researchers say the species is notably small compared to its relatives and shows little difference in appearance between males and females.
Genetic testing showed the new species is most closely related to the black colobus monkey, Colobus satanas, which lives more than 1,200 kilometers (746 miles) away in west-central Africa.
Scientists estimate the two species split from a common ancestor between four and five million years ago, making it one of the oldest known divergences among Colobus monkeys.
Years of fieldwork confirm new species in Congo’s forests
The species was first captured in a photograph in 2008, though its significance was not recognized at the time.
It was documented again in 2018 by park ranger Jean Pierre Kapale, whose repeated sightings over several months confirmed it was an unrecorded species.
Despite living close to human settlements, the monkey remains largely unfamiliar to nearby communities. Of 52 villages surveyed near its range, only eight reported knowing the animal.
Researchers tracked the species across roughly 1,700 square kilometers (656 square miles) of forest between 2018 and 2022, recording 114 sightings. The monkeys were typically seen in small groups, averaging about six individuals, and were often found traveling alongside other primate species.
Rare primate faces growing threats from habitat loss
Hart said the discovery highlights how much remains unknown about the biodiversity hidden within Congo’s forests, even in areas that have been studied for years.
Because of its limited range and small population, researchers have proposed classifying the species as endangered. They point to rising hunting pressure and forest loss driven by Congo’s growing population as major threats to its survival.
The study’s authors say protecting Lomami National Park and involving local communities in conservation efforts will be critical to ensuring the newly identified monkey survives in the wild.
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