Colobus Congoensis: Scientists Confirm New Monkey Species in DR Congo Rainforest
Rare black-furred monkey with striking pinkish-orange lips identified as a new species after years of research in Lomami National Park.
Newly identified Colobus Congoensis monkey in the forests of DR Congo.
Scientists have officially confirmed Colobus Congoensis as a new monkey species after years of research in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The discovery marks only the fifth new African monkey species identified in the past 75 years and highlights the region’s exceptional biodiversity.
Researchers first spotted the unusual black-furred monkey in 2008 in the dense canopy of Lomami National Park in central-eastern DRC. At the time, conservationists managed to capture only a single blurry photograph. A second sighting a decade later prompted an international team of scientists to launch a comprehensive study using photography, audio recordings and genetic analysis.
The research confirmed that the primate represents a genetically distinct species. Scientists published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS One.
Junior Amboko, a PhD student at Florida Atlantic University who led much of the fieldwork, described the discovery as an unforgettable experience.
“It was an amazing feeling to look into the face of an animal that so few people knew existed,” Amboko said.
Although science has only now recognised the monkey as a distinct species, local communities have long known about it and call it Likweli. Researchers interviewed residents in 52 villages surrounding the forest, but only people from eight villages reported seeing the elusive primate, reflecting its secretive behaviour and limited distribution.
The research team, which included scientists from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United States and Germany, named the species Colobus Congoensis to honour the country’s remarkable natural heritage.
The monkey belongs to the colobus family, a group of African primates known for lacking thumbs. These leaf-eating monkeys play a vital ecological role by helping disperse seeds and supporting forest regeneration.
Researchers believe the species’ bright pinkish-orange lips and distinctive facial markings may help individuals recognise one another or attract mates. The monkey also produces a powerful roaring call that often reveals its presence before it can be seen high in the forest canopy.
Scientists believe the species has a small population confined to a limited section of the rainforest where suitable food and habitat remain available. Hunting for bushmeat continues to threaten the monkey’s survival.
Researchers hope the official scientific recognition of Colobus Congoensis will strengthen conservation efforts and improve legal protection for the species. Future studies will focus on estimating its population size, mapping its habitat and understanding its behaviour.
