Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - Scientists have identified a new monkey species in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, known locally as the Likweli. The rare primate stands out for its black fur and striking orange patch around the mouth, and it may reshape understanding of African monkey evolution.

The Likweli lives deep in the Congo Basin’s dense canopy and was so elusive that local communities had only limited knowledge of it. Researchers say the monkey belongs to the colobus group, a class of leaf-eating monkeys adapted to life in the treetops.

The species was confirmed through field observations, photographs, audio recordings and genetic analysis. It was found to be distinct from its closest relatives, with a long separate evolutionary history that suggests African monkey diversity is still undercounted.

Scientists say the discovery is important not just because it adds a new species, but because it highlights how much remains unknown in the Congo rainforest. The monkey’s limited range also raises conservation concerns, since habitat loss and hunting could threaten its survival.

The discovery of Likweli is a reminder that major wildlife findings are still possible in some of the world’s least explored forests. It also strengthens the case for protecting Congo’s rainforest, where rare species may disappear before they are even fully understood.