A recently identified monkey species with vibrant orange lips has been confirmed in Africa, nearly two decades after its initial sighting. The small primate, characterized by black fur and a lengthy tail, belongs to the Colobus genus native to Africa. It was found in the Lomami National Park within the interfluve region of the Lomami and Congo (Lualaba) rivers in east-central Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Known as Colobus congoensis or Likweli, this monkey marks only the fifth new African monkey species discovery in the last 75 years. Initially observed in 2008 during an expedition in the Lomami Basin, the Likweli monkey reappeared in November 2018 after a long absence.
Despite being sighted 114 times between 2018 and 2022, the newly identified species remains unfamiliar to local communities compared to other primates in the area. Only a minority of residents in the surveyed localities, out of 52, were able to recognize and describe the primate accurately.
According to a study published in the PLoS One journal, the Likweli monkey exhibits a distinctive dark face with a prominent pinkish to orange-cream bare skin patch surrounding the mouth. The size of this colored patch varies among individuals, giving the monkey a mask-like appearance with black skin surrounding the eyes.
Described as a rare and elusive species primarily found in high, dense canopy forests, the researchers suggest classifying the Likweli monkey as endangered due to its limited range and population. The threat of increased hunting and habitat loss further emphasizes the urgency for conservation efforts.
The research on this new species involved experts from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United States, and Germany.