For decades, scientists believed Africa’s monkey species were already well documented. That assumption has now been challenged by an extraordinary discovery deep inside the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where a previously unknown colobus monkey quietly lived beyond scientific recognition.
Formally described on July 15, 2026, Colobus congoensis, commonly known as the Likweli, is now recognized as a distinct species after years of field research, genetic analysis, and collaboration with local communities. The discovery is especially remarkable because it represents only the fifth new monkey species identified in Africa in the past 75 years, making it one of the continent’s rarest modern primate discoveries.
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How Scientists Finally Confirmed the Hidden Likweli Monkey Species
The journey toward identifying Colobus congoensis began much earlier than its official scientific description.
The first photographic evidence was captured in 2008 by conservationists Bernard Ikembelo and Ashley Vosper of the Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation in what later became Lomami National Park, officially established in 2016. Another crucial sighting followed in November 2018, when Jean Pierre Kapale observed the monkey during a surveillance patrol in the park’s Courbure Sector.
Between 2018 and 2022, researchers documented 114 field observations across approximately 1,700 km², supported by additional patrol photographs. Equally important was the knowledge shared by residents from 52 villages. The Bangala people identified the monkey as “Likweli,” while the Mituku people referred to it as “kasaba nkoni” or “branch-shaker.”
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Morphological analysis, mitochondrial DNA sequencing, and acoustic recordings of six calls ultimately confirmed that this population represented a previously unknown species. Scientists also determined that it is the sister taxon to Colobus satanas (black colobus), having diverged roughly 4–5.78 million years ago, despite the two species now being separated by more than 1,200 km.
Discovery Timeline
| Year/Date | Event | Key People/Organizations |
| 2008 | First photographic evidence | Bernard Ikembelo, Ashley Vosper, Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation |
| 2016 | Lomami National Park established | DRC conservation authorities |
| November 2018 | Important field sighting during patrol | Jean Pierre Kapale |
| 2018–2022 | 114 observations recorded across ~1,700 km² | Research teams and local communities |
| July 15, 2026 | Species formally described in PLOS One | John A. Hart, Junior D. Amboko, Kate M. Detwiler and collaborators |
What Makes Colobus congoensis Different From Other African Colobus Monkeys?
Although small for a colobus monkey, the Likweli stands out immediately because of its striking appearance.
Its body and limbs are covered in sleek black fur, complemented by a long drooping tail. One of its most distinctive characteristics is a white perianal patch—covered in fine white hairs in males but glabrous (hairless) in females.
The face is equally distinctive, featuring a pinkish-orange to orange-cream patch surrounding the mouth, philtrum, and parts of the inferior nasal alae against an otherwise black face. Slate-grey cheekbones frame dark, black-rimmed eyes, while spiky hair radiates outward, giving the monkey a highly expressive appearance.
Researchers distinguish the species from Colobus satanas and other members of the genus by its smaller size, unique facial markings, and characteristic perianal patch.
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Where Does the Likweli Live and Why Is It Already Considered Endangered?
The species inhabits the Lomami-Lualaba (Lualaba) interfluve in east-central DRC, primarily within Lomami National Park and its surrounding buffer zone.
It occupies high, closed-canopy tropical forests growing on deep clay pediments and terra firme forest islands. The monkey shares its habitat with other colobines, including Piliocolobus parmentieri and Colobus angolensis.
Researchers observed that the monkeys typically live in small groups averaging about 6.2 individuals, often forming mixed-species associations. Their vocalizations consist of deep, resonant roars and snorts with a unique acoustic signature resembling—but clearly distinct from—Colobus satanas. As a colobine, the species is believed to be arboreal and primarily leaf-eating, although detailed dietary studies are still ongoing.
Because its known range covers only around 1,700 km², scientists have proposed listing Colobus congoensis as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting for bushmeat, and its limited distribution all contribute to its vulnerability. Researchers recommend strengthening protection for Lomami National Park, expanding population monitoring, and working closely with local communities to reduce hunting pressure.
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Why This Discovery Matters for Global Wildlife Conservation
Beyond introducing a new primate to science, Colobus congoensis provides valuable insight into the evolutionary history of the Congo Basin. Its existence supports theories about relict populations shaped by river barriers and historical forest dynamics while demonstrating how much biodiversity remains undiscovered in even well-studied primate groups.
The discovery also highlights the importance of combining modern genetics, long-term fieldwork, and local ecological knowledge. As Junior Amboko noted, naming the species after the Congo region represents a source of personal and national pride, marking the first primate ever named after the Congo region.
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