A striking new species of monkey with vibrant pinkish-orange lips and a deep, frog-like roaring call has been identified in the remote forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Named Colobus congoensis and known locally as "Likweli," the monkey is only the fifth new African monkey species described in the last 75 years.
A Rare Discovery
The species was confirmed through genetic analysis and physical examination of specimens collected in Lomami National Park, a protected area in central DRC. The Likweli is significantly smaller than other colobus monkeys and features a distinctive orange-cream patch surrounding its mouth, giving it the appearance of having bright orange lips.
"This is a very exciting discovery," the research team stated. "Finding a new mammal species — let alone a primate — in the 21st century is exceptionally rare. The Congo Basin continues to reveal biodiversity we never knew existed."
Distinctive Traits
Beyond its unusual lip coloration, the Likweli produces deep, resonant, roaring calls that carry through the dense forest canopy — more reminiscent of a frog than a typical monkey. The species is arboreal and lives in small family groups, feeding primarily on leaves and fruit in the mid-to-upper canopy.
The discovery underscores how much of Earth's biodiversity remains undocumented, particularly in the Congo Basin — one of the planet's most biodiverse yet least-explored ecosystems.
Conservation Concerns
While the exact population is unknown, researchers believe the Likweli may already be endangered due to habitat loss from logging and mining in the region. The team is calling for urgent conservation assessments and protection measures to ensure the species survives its own discovery.
The finding was published in the American Journal of Primatology.
