Orange lips and roaring calls: Meet the DRC's shy new rainforest monkey

The Democratic Republic of Congo has added a new species to its collection of monkeys: the Likweli rainforest primate. This discovery is notable as it is one of only five new African monkey species identified in the past 75 years, bringing the total number of monkey species worldwide to 536. The Likweli monkey, named after its home region, possesses distinctive orange lips that set it apart from other colobus monkeys.

Despite its unique appearance, locals have only rarely encountered the shy creature, leading to its delayed scientific recognition. The discovery of the Likweli monkey involved extensive fieldwork, including foot and canoe searches, as well as genetic and anatomical analyses. The new species is a small monkey, weighing around 7 kg, with silky black hair, no thumbs, and a long black tail.

Its most striking feature is its orange-cream face and rump, which contrasts with its dark face and white tail patch. The discovery of the Likweli monkey sheds light on the evolutionary history of the region and underscores the importance of protecting the DRC rainforest and its diverse wildlife.