science
New Monkey Species Confirmed in Congo National Park
The Bbc reported confirmation of a previously unknown primate with pinkish-orange lips in Lomami National Park. Genetic studies and field observations established it as the fifth African monkey species found in 75 years. Researchers plan further surveys to assess its population.
Jul 15, 7:02 PM·1m read1 source
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A new monkey species featuring striking pinkish-orange lips and a black face has been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Bbc reported that the black-furred primate lives in the high tree canopy of dense tropical forests in Lomami National Park. Conservationists first reported the animal in 2008 after obtaining one blurry photograph.
A second sighting occurred in 2018. An international team from the DRC, the US and Germany then conducted audio recordings, photography and genetic studies that established the monkey as a distinct species. The findings appeared in the journal PLoS One.
Junior Amboko, a PhD student at Florida Atlantic University who led key parts of the search, stated it was an "amazing feeling" to look into the face of an animal that so few people knew existed. Local residents refer to the monkey as Likweli. Researchers interviewed people in 52 villages near the habitat and found that residents of only eight villages had seen the animals.
The team named the species Colobus congoensis. The monkey belongs to the colobus group, which lacks thumbs. These herbivores live in the forest canopy and produce a distinctive roaring call. The animals are hunted for meat, and researchers hope the formal classification will support official protection measures.
The team plans a more detailed survey to estimate population size and study behavior.
