An international team including Yale researchers has described a new species of Colobus monkey living high in the forest canopy of the Democratic Republic of Congo — only the fifth new African monkey found in the past 75 years. The small, black animal wears orange-cream patches around its mouth and nose, and the people who share its forest call it "Likweli." Its scientific name is Colobus congoensis.
It took ten years to prove it was real. The monkeys live so high in dense canopy, in groups of about six, that they're almost impossible to photograph; from 2018 to 2022 the team logged just 114 sightings across 1,700 square kilometers of Lomami National Park. "This primate was not only new," said conservation biologist Terese Hart. "It was extremely rare and with a limited range." When the researchers checked with 52 nearby villages, only people in 8 recognized the animal.
Genetics point to a split from its nearest relative, the all-black colobus, roughly five million years ago. With hunting and human encroachment closing in on its small range, the team recommends listing Likweli as endangered.
Previously:
• "Babe, wake up, new panda rat just dropped!": Meet the Northern Luzon Cloud Rat
• Newly discovered fish species looks just like Big Bird's best friend, Mr. Snuffleupagus
