New Orange-Lipped Monkey Found In Congo

Key Points:

• Researchers have discovered a new monkey species named Likweli (Colobus congoensis) in the forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking only the fifth new African monkey species found in the past 75 years.
• The Likweli is characterized by distinctive physical traits including a crest of spiky black hair, an orange-cream patch around its mouth and nose, gray cheekbone skin, and a white patch near its tail, with adults weighing about 15 pounds.
• Initial sightings were made in 2008 and 2018, with formal confirmation achieved after DNA analysis and physical examination of specimens obtained in 2021, revealing its closest relative is the black colobus monkey found over 700 miles away.
• The species inhabits a limited area of approximately 656 square miles, mainly within Lomami National Park, and faces threats from hunting and habitat loss, prompting scientists to recommend an Endangered status to aid in its conservation.
• Findings were published in the journal PLOS One in July 2026, with researchers emphasizing the need for protective measures to ensure the Likweli's survival and the preservation of its forest environment.