India, July 16 -- Scientists have discovered a new previously unknown monkey species in the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This ends years of painstaking fieldwork in one of Africa's least-explored regions.

The newly identified primate, named Likweli (Colobus congoensis), was formally described in a peer-reviewed study published Wednesday in PLOS One. Researchers say the elusive monkey likely remained hidden because it occupies a tiny range inside the Congo Basin and rarely encounters humans.

The discovery marks only the second new monkey species identified in the region in the past 15 years. Scientists believe the finding could offer fresh insights into primate evolution while highlighting the importance o...