New Monkey Species Discovered in Congo Rainforest

Scientists discovered a previously unknown species of monkey in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The new primate, named Colobus congoensis, belongs to the colobus monkey family and is characterized by black fur and orange lips.

This discovery is unusual as only five new monkey species have been described in Africa over the last 75 years. The species’ limited range, between the Lomami and Lualaba rivers, helped it avoid detection for years, though researchers first noted a possible new species from a 2008 photograph.

Subsequent genetic, anatomical, and acoustic analyses confirmed its distinct status, showing it diverged from other Colobus species between four and five million years ago. Researchers estimate the Colobus congoensis weighs around seven kilograms, smaller than its relatives which weigh between eight and thirteen kilograms. The species is potentially threatened by hunting for bushmeat, despite a portion of its habitat being within Lomami National Park.