A shy forest monkey with vivid pinkish-orange lips and a black face has been identified as a new species, Colobus congoensis, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Although researchers first observed the animal in 2008, they only recently confirmed it as a distinct species using photographs, audio recordings and genetic analysis. Published in PLoS One, the finding represents just the fifth new African monkey species identified in the past 75 years.
Scientists believe the elusive, canopy-dwelling primate is rare and vulnerable to hunting. They hope formal recognition will strengthen efforts to protect it as further research examines its population, behaviour and conservation needs.
