New Colobus Monkey Species Discovered in Congo's Lomami National Park

International researchers have confirmed the discovery of a previously unknown colobus monkey, Colobus congoensis, in the Lomami National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Locally called “Likweli,” the primate is distinguished by black fur, orange‑pink lips and a distinctive facial mask. Genetic, anatomical and acoustic analyses show the species diverged from its closest relative, the black colobus, about 4‑5 million years ago.

The first sighting, a blurry photograph, was recorded in 2008; a clearer image a decade later sparked a focused survey from 2018 to 2022 that logged 114 observations across roughly 1 700 km². Researchers from the Congo, United States, Germany and other partners stress that the monkey’s limited range makes it vulnerable to hunting and habitat loss, and they urge its rapid assessment for conservation status. “This discovery is both exciting and deeply personal, highlighting the extraordinary biodiversity of my homeland,” said Junior Amboko, a Congolese co‑author of the study.

The finding marks only the fifth new primate species identified in Africa in the past 75 years and underscores how much of the Congo Basin’s biodiversity remains undocumented.