A previously unknown species of monkey, distinguished by its vibrant pinkish-orange lips and black face, has been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The black-furred primate was discovered in the high canopy of dense tropical forests within Lomami National Park, located in the central eastern part of the country.
Conservationists first reported sightings of the unusual monkey in 2008, capturing a single, blurry photograph. A decade later, another sighting prompted an international team of researchers to embark on a mission to study the animal. Their work confirmed it as a species new to science. This marks the fifth African monkey species to be discovered in the last 75 years.
The research involved a comprehensive approach, including audio recordings, photography, and detailed genetic studies. Junior Amboko, a PhD student at Florida Atlantic University, was instrumental in leading the search. He described the experience as an "amazing feeling" to encounter an animal so few people knew existed.
The findings detailing the new species were published in the journal PLoS One. The discovery highlights the biodiversity that remains hidden within the world's dense tropical forests.