A newly identified species of monkey, boasting distinctive pink-orange lips and a black face, has been discovered in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This unique, black-furred primate was found lurking in the tall canopy of a dense tropical forest in Lomami National Park, located in the east-central region of the country.
Conservationists initially reported sightings of this unusual monkey back in 2008, but only managed to capture one photograph at that time.
After being spotted again a decade later, an international research team embarked on a collaborative study, confirming that this fascinating creature represents an entirely new species.
This marks the discovery of the fifth new species of African monkey in the last 75 years.
Junior Amboko, a doctoral student at Florida Atlantic University, played a pivotal role in the investigation, which involved audio recordings, photographs, and comprehensive genetic analysis.
The findings have been documented in detail in an article published in the PLoS One journal, external.
Amboko shared with BBC News that witnessing the face of an animal almost unknown to the world was an “amazing feeling.”
Source: www.bbc.co.uk