New monkey species discovered in DR Congo Forest

A new species of monkey with distinctive pink-orange lips has been discovered in the forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

According to international media reports, the monkey was spotted in the dense forests of Lomami National Park in the country’s central-eastern region. The newly identified primate has black fur and striking pink-orange lips making it easily distinguishable from other known monkey species.

Reports state that a photograph of the monkey was first taken in 2008 but the image was too blurry to allow scientists to identify it accurately.

More than a decade later, after the monkey was observed again, an international team of researchers launched a detailed study to locate and examine the animal. Their research confirmed that it belongs to a previously unknown species.

A PhD student at Florida Atlantic University played a key role in the discovery by using audio recordings, photography and detailed genetic analyses. The findings of the research have been published in the scientific journal PLOS One.

According to media reports, this is only the fifth new species of African monkey to be discovered in the past 75 years.