Orange-lipped monkey confirmed as new species in DRC
A new species of monkey with distinctive orange lips has been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking a significant discovery for biodiversity in the region.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A new species of monkey with distinctive orange lips has been formally confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, nearly two decades after it was first spotted by conservationists. The primate, named Colobus congruensis, was identified in the dense tropical forests of Lomami National Park in the central east of the country.
The discovery began with a single blurry photograph of a tail taken almost 20 years ago. That image led scientists to mount expeditions into the remote forest, using microphones, cameras and genetic tests to track down the elusive animal. Their study has now confirmed that the monkey, previously known only from that initial sighting, is a species new to science.
Colobus congruensis belongs to the wider group of Colobus monkeys, which are plant-eating primates that lack thumbs and live high in the tree canopy. The new species is particularly striking for its pinkish-orange lips, which researchers believe may serve as a visual signal, possibly to attract a mate. It also has a unique roaring call that helps it announce its presence in the thick forest.
Scientists described the moment of confirmation as incredible and amazing. They stressed that the discovery highlights the critical importance of protecting the region's environment for biodiversity as a whole, not just for monkeys or primates. The species appears to be rare and confined to a special habitat in the central east of the DRC.
Now that Colobus congruensis has been officially recognised as a distinct species, conservationists hope it can receive formal protection. The monkey is the first primate to be named after the Congo, underscoring the significance of the find for the country's natural heritage.
On screen
Stills are sampled automatically at 60-second intervals. Where shown, the still is the nearest available frame from the relevant broadcast segment and is included to show what was on screen during that part of the broadcast. A still may not correspond to the exact second of a quoted phrase.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| A black monkey with orange lips first spotted in 2008 has been confirmed as a new species. | |
| The monkey was seen in dense tropical forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Lomami National Park. | |
| This is the first time a monkey is being named after the Congo. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focused on the journey of discovery, from the initial blurry photograph to the genetic confirmation, and highlighted the emotional reaction of the scientists. It also stressed the broader conservation message about protecting biodiversity in the region. The tone was factual and celebratory, with a clear narrative arc.
- “The feeling was incredible. Really amazing to discover a new species.”
- “Tells you how this environment is so important to be protected and it's so critical for the protection of biodiversity in general, not just monkeys or primates in particular.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.