A New Monkey Species Unearthed in Congo’s Dense Canopy

Sun Sep 06 2026 06:46:19 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Scientists confirm a previously unseen monkey in Lomami National Park, featuring pink lips and a black face, adding a new chapter to Africa’s primate diversity.

A pinkish‑orange‑lipped, black‑facial primate has been officially identified as a new species in Lomami National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. First noted in 2008, it was only after a second sighting a decade later that an international team confirmed its distinctiveness. Dr. Karen Laurenson of the Frankfurt Zoological Society described the discovery as “amazing” and underscored the vast unknowns in Africa’s biodiversity. The species’ distinctive features—soft pink lips, a dark face, and adaptations for high‑canopy living—set it apart from known relatives. Researchers are now mapping its habitat range and evaluating conservation needs amid mounting environmental pressures.

A New Monkey Species Unearthed in Congo’s Dense Canopy

A pinkish‑orange‑lipped, black‑facial primate that has been living high in the canopy of Lomami National Park has been officially identified as a new species.

The species was first reported by conservationists in 2008, but only after a second sighting a decade later did an international research team confirm its distinctiveness.

Dr. Karen Laurenson, Africa director at the Frankfurt Zoological Society, hailed the find as “amazing” and highlighted how still “a lot is left to be explored” in the continent’s biodiversity.

The new monkey’s striking appearance—soft, pinkish‑orange lips, a dark face and adapted limbs for navigating the high canopy—sets it apart from known relatives.

Scientists are now working on mapping its habitat range and assessing conservation needs, as pressure from logging and human settlement increases.

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