Scientists confirm new monkey species with striking orange lips in DR Congo
A rare primate with vivid pink‑orange lips and a jet‑black face has been confirmed as a new species in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking one of the most significant African wildlife discoveries in decades.
The animal, now formally named Colobus congoensis, was identified in Lomami National Park after years of elusive sightings. Conservationists first reported glimpses of the unusual monkey in 2008, but only managed a single blurry photograph. A decade later, researchers returned with audio equipment, cameras and genetic tools, eventually proving the species was distinct.
“This is only the fifth African monkey species discovered in the last 75 years,” said Junior Amboko, a PhD student at Florida Atlantic University who led the fieldwork. Amboko described the moment of recognition as “an amazing feeling,” noting that even local villagers rarely encounter the animal. Interviews across 52 communities revealed that only eight had ever seen it.
The Likweli, as it is known locally, belongs to the colobus family, canopy‑dwelling herbivores critical to seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Unlike most primates, colobus monkeys lack thumbs, a trait that helps them navigate treetops. Researchers say the new species is shy, often hiding high in the canopy, but can be identified by its distinctive resonant roar.
Professor Kate Detwiler, also of Florida Atlantic University, suggested the monkey’s bright facial markings may serve as visual signals for communication or mating. “They’re really important herbivores of the canopy,” she explained, adding that their ecological role could be vital to forest health.
The discovery raises urgent conservation questions. The species appears rare and confined to a limited habitat, and researchers warn it is hunted for bushmeat. Official recognition as a distinct species could pave the way for legal protection.
For Amboko and his colleagues from DRC, the US and Germany, the work is far from over. They plan detailed surveys to estimate population size and study behaviour. “We still have a lot of questions,” Amboko said. “But now the world knows they exist.”
Source: BBC
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