New Monkey Discovery Aids Conservation

A newly identified monkey species with distinctive pinkish-orange lips has been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, opening the way for stronger protection of one of Africa’s rarest primates.

“It was an amazing feeling to look into the face of an animal that so few people knew existed,” said Junior Amboko, PhD student at Florida Atlantic University, who helped lead the research. “The monkeys were kind of shy” and often remained hidden high in the forest canopy.

Named Colobus congoensis, the monkey was confirmed as a genetically distinct species after researchers combined field observations, sound recordings, photography and genetic analysis. It is only the fifth new African monkey species identified in the past 75 years. Known locally as Likweli, the primate lives in the forests of Lomami National Park, where it plays an important ecological role by helping disperse seeds. Researchers interviewed people in 52 nearby villages during the search, with sightings reported in only eight, highlighting the species’ rarity. Official recognition is expected to support future conservation measures while scientists continue studying its population and behaviour.