Scientists Discover New Endangered Monkey Species With Distinctive Colored Lips in Congo Rainforest

Researchers have identified a new monkey species deep within the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a discovery that has surprised even local communities. Named Colobus congoensis and locally called "Likweli," this primate features black fur, dark facial skin, pink and orange lips, and a deep warning call resembling a roar. The monkey weighs about 7 kilograms and measures approximately 1.2 meters from nose to tail tip.

The discovery, published in the scientific journal PLOS One, marks one of the most significant primate findings in recent years and is only the second new species found in the Lualaba River region in the past 15 years. Researchers conducted extensive fieldwork, walking over 4,800 kilometers on foot through isolated forests since 2008. Initial blurry photos hinted at an unknown species, but it was only after repeated observations starting in 2018 that the team confirmed its uniqueness. Over four years, they recorded 114 sightings and collected genetic samples from three deceased individuals confiscated from hunters.

The Likweli's habitat is extremely limited, estimated at just 1,680 square kilometers, about two-thirds the size of Luxembourg. This restricted range partly explains why the species remained undiscovered for so long. Unlike another recently discovered species in the area, the Lesula, which some locals kept as pets, the Likweli was known mainly to hunters. Genetic analysis shows the species diverged from its closest relatives around five million years ago. Its scientific name honors the Congo, as no monkey species had previously been named after the country.

Despite the breakthrough, much about the Likweli remains unknown, including its diet, reproductive habits, and reasons for its confined distribution. Researchers believe further study could illuminate primate evolution in Africa and enhance understanding of biodiversity in one of the world's most remote and least studied wilderness areas.