New monkey species with distinctive orange lips discovered in DR Congo
Conservationists have confirmed a new species of monkey in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, distinguished by its striking pinkish-orange lips and black face.
The black-furred primate was first sighted in 2008 in the dense tropical forests of Lomami National Park in central-eastern DRC. However, only a single blurry photograph was captured at the time.
After another sighting a decade later, an international team of researchers launched a study involving audio recordings, photography, and genetic analysis. Their findings, published in the journal PLoS One, revealed that the monkey is a previously unknown species.
This marks only the fifth African monkey species discovered in the past 75 years.
Junior Amboko, a PhD student at Florida Atlantic University, played a key role in the research. He described the experience as an "amazing feeling" to see an animal that so few people knew existed.
The new species was found in the high tree canopy, hidden from view, highlighting the importance of preserving such habitats for undiscovered biodiversity.
