Scientists have confirmed the discovery of a new monkey species living in the dense tropical forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking only the fifth new African monkey species identified in the past 75 years. The newly identified primate is distinguished by its striking pinkish-orange lips, black face and black fur. It inhabits the forest canopy of Lomami National Park in central-eastern DR Congo, where it has remained largely hidden from scientific observation. Conservationists working in the park first spotted the unusual monkey in 2008 but managed to capture only a single blurry photograph. A second sighting a decade later prompted an international team of researchers to launch a detailed scientific investigation.
The researchers combined field observations, audio recordings, high-resolution photography and genetic analysis to confirm that the primate represents a previously unknown species. Their findings have been published in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS One. Among the scientists leading the research was Junior Amboko, a PhD student at Florida Atlantic University, who described the discovery as an extraordinary moment. “It was an amazing feeling to look into the face of an animal that so few people knew existed,” Amboko told the BBC.
The discovery underscores the Democratic Republic of Congo’s importance as one of Africa’s richest biodiversity hotspots and highlights the need to protect its remaining tropical forests, which are home to many rare and endangered species. Researchers say the finding also demonstrates that significant wildlife discoveries are still possible in remote regions, despite increasing threats from deforestation, habitat loss and illegal hunting.
