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Researchers identify new monkey species in Congo forest after 75 years of discovery
Updated On: 18 July, 2026 10:42 AM IST | Kinshasa | Agencies
The species has distinctive orange-cream facial markings, weighs around 7 kg, and diverged from its closest relative four to five million years ago — only the fifth new African monkey species identified in 75 years
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The Colobus congoensis. PIC COURTESY/Junior Amboko
Researchers confirmed Colobus congoensis — known locally as Likweli — as a new monkey species in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Lomami National Park this week.
The species has distinctive orange-cream facial markings, weighs around 7 kg, and diverged from its closest relative four to five million years ago — only the fifth new African monkey species identified in 75 years.


