The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially announced the scientific description of a new monkey species, reinforcing the country’s status as one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots.
According to the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), the newly identified species, named Likweli (Colobus congoensis), was discovered in Lomami National Park, with the findings published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal PLOS ONE.
Researchers say the primate is distinguished by its bright orange lips, a unique territorial call and an extremely restricted range. The species is believed to inhabit only about 1,700 square kilometres of protected forest within the park.
The ICCN described the discovery as a major scientific milestone and evidence of the ecological importance of the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest.
« This discovery highlights the effectiveness of conservation efforts on the ground and confirms the Democratic Republic of Congo’s role as a global sanctuary for biodiversity, » the conservation agency said.
Lomami National Park, located in central DR Congo, is home to several endemic and threatened species and remains one of the country’s least-explored protected areas for wildlife research.
Scientists say the discovery also underscores the urgent need to strengthen conservation efforts as the country’s forests continue to face growing pressure from deforestation, illegal resource exploitation and habitat loss.
Experts believe many species remain undiscovered in the Congo Basin, making the region one of the world’s highest priorities for biodiversity research and conservation.
