Newly Identified Colobus Congoensis: The Fifth African Monkey Species in 75 Years

The discovery of a new primate species is a rare event, particularly in Africa. The Colobus congoensis, known locally as Likweli, has recently joined this exclusive list as the fifth new African monkey described in the past 75 years. This new species features deep, resonant, roaring calls similar to other Colobus species.

Initially captured in a blurry photograph in 2008 by researchers from the Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation, the strange orange-faced monkey was spotted in the treetops of a forest area now included in Lomami National Park, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, due to the unclear image, this unusual find was largely ignored at the time.

More than a decade later, the elusive primate was photographed again, revealing a monkey with shaggy black hair and an orange patch around its nose and mouth. John Hart, the scientific director of the Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation, and Junior D. Amboko, a Ph.D. student at Florida Atlantic University, reviewed these new photos. They concluded that this monkey didn’t match any known species in the region.

Driven by curiosity and scientific interest, the researchers initiated a project, partly funded by the National Geographic Society, to further investigate the primate’s existence. From 2018 to 2022, the team conducted an extensive survey of Lomami National Park and its vicinity. Their efforts included scanning treetops, recording monkey vocalizations at dawn, and interviewing residents from 52 nearby villages. The distinctive orange-mouthed monkey was recognized by people from eight villages, especially those belonging to the Balanga ethnic group, who referred to it as Likweli.

This new species, the Likweli monkey, inhabits a limited area in northeastern Congo, approximately half the size of Rhode Island. According to Mr. Amboko, the monkey’s shy nature and restricted range contribute to its unfamiliarity even among local inhabitants.