New Monkey Species Discovered in Congo Rainforest
Thursday, 2026/07/23186 words3 minutes1994 reads
Scientists have formally described a new African monkey species called Colobus congoensis, known locally as the Likweli. The discovery was published in PLOS One on July 15, 2026, by Hart and colleagues.
The Likweli is a small, predominantly black colobus monkey with distinctive features. It has pinkish-orange or orange-cream markings around its mouth and nose, long black facial hairs, large folded ears, and a long tail. White markings appear near the anus.
This species inhabits high, closed-canopy forests in and around Lomami National Park in east-central Democratic Republic of the Congo, specifically between the Lomami and Lilo rivers. Researchers estimate its range covers approximately 1,700 square kilometers.
The first photographic evidence emerged in 2008, though the image was partly obscured. Between 2018 and 2022, researchers made 114 observations. They used genetic, anatomical, and acoustic evidence to confirm the Likweli as a distinct Colobus species.
Remarkably, the Likweli is only the fifth new African monkey species described from a previously unknown wild population in the past 75 years. However, its limited geographical range, hunting pressure, and habitat conversion threaten its survival. Researchers recommend an Endangered conservation assessment.
