New monkey species discovered in Congo nearly 20 years after a mysterious photograph

Scientists have uncovered a previously unknown species of monkey in the Democratic Republic of Congo, named Colobus congoensis. This all-black monkey is distinguished by an orange patch around its mouth. The discovery began with a photograph taken in 2008 that showed a dark-colored monkey with its back to the camera, but not enough detail to identify it.

In 2018, researchers returned to the forests where the photograph was taken and spent the next four years observing the monkey. They found it to be distinct from its closest relative, the black colobus monkey. Genetic testing confirmed that it belonged to a separate evolutionary lineage that had diverged from the black colobus monkey at least four million years ago.

This new species is known locally as Likweli, though it's unclear when this name was first used. Colobus congoensis may already be at risk, as it is hunted for meat and lives in a relatively small area of about 1,700 square kilometers. More research is needed to determine the exact population and the threats it faces. Protecting its forest habitat will be crucial, and researchers stress the importance of collaborating with local communities to safeguard this unique species.