A new species of monkey with distinctive orange lips and a deep roaring call has been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Colobus congoensis, known to local people as Likweli, is just the fifth new monkey species scientists have identified in Africa in the last 75 years, according to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE Wednesday.

The monkey has a glossy black coat, long fur, a sweeping tail and striking orange-cream facial markings, said researchers from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and the City University of New York Graduate Center in statements on Wednesday.

They added that the species has “distinctive cranial, dental, and skeletal characteristics that separate it from every other known African colobus monkey.”

It is also smaller than related Colobus monkeys, weighing around 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms). 

“It is distinguished by sleek, light-reflecting fur and dramatic facial features created by long black facial hairs and large folded ears,” said FAU.

“The discovery of Colobus congoensis is reshaping our understanding of African monkey evolution,” said study senior author Kate Detwiler, an associate professor of biological sciences in FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.

“Its closest known relative is Colobus satanas, found more than 1,200 kilometers (746 miles) away in west-central Africa,” she said. “Yet our genetic evidence shows the two species diverged roughly 4 to 5 million years ago, marking one of the oldest known evolutionary splits within the Colobus lineage.” 

The process of describing the new species began in 2008, when an unusual monkey was photographed by researchers working in east-central DRC. Ten years later, they made a clearer observation, and went on to make 114 sightings from 2018-2022.

In addition to its anatomy and field observations, researchers also had to study the monkey’s genetics and use local ecological knowledge to prove that this was a species that had never been described before.

“When a potential new species is discovered, the evidence has to be overwhelming,” said coauthor Christopher Gilbert, professor of anthropology at the CUNY Graduate Center and Hunter College, in the CUNY statement.

“We analyzed museum collections and comparative datasets, examining skulls, pelts, and skeletal anatomy alongside specimens from known African colobus monkeys,” he said. “Those comparisons allowed us to demonstrate conclusively that Colobus congoensis represents a distinct species.”

However, there are some conservation concerns for Likweli, given the fact that the sightings were made across a range of around 1,700 square kilometers (656 square miles).

“The researchers propose that Colobus congoensis be classified as Endangered because of its restricted range, habitat loss, and hunting pressure,” reads the CUNY statement. “Most of its known habitat lies within Lomami National Park, making protection of the region critical for the species’ survival.” (CNN)

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The Animal Welfare Coalition of Sri Lanka has raised concerns over a video circulating on social media showing large numbers of terrified monkeys, along with the dead and dying, incarcerated in cages in Thumpane. 

The Animal Welfare Coalition of Sri Lanka said they have been left in this state for days, starved, without food, and exposed to the heavy rain and harsh sun.  

The concerns have been raised in a letter addressed to the Governor- Central Province, Prof. Sarath Abeykoon. 

Pointing out previous interventions in similar incidents of incarcerated monkeys in KMC and Harispatthuwa PS areas, the Association said it was horrified to see this state-sanctioned, hideous cruelty recurring in Thumpane.

As such, the Animal Welfare Coalition of Sri Lanka urged the government to intervene immediately and have these monkeys released from their current confinement. 

The Association also requested that all Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Central Province be advised to release any monkeys they catch without delay, rather than incarcerating them for prolonged periods and generating further public outcries. (Newswire)

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A syphilis-like bacterial infection spreading among monkeys and macaques has been detected in Polonnaruwa and Giritale, it was reported.

According to reports, the infection has been found through a joint study by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and animal health authorities. 

Wildlife Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Nihal Pushpakumara said blood and PCR tests have confirmed the syphilis-like bacterial infection.

He further explained that the infection affects the genital organs, skin, and anus of the animals.

Dr. Nihal Pushpakumara advised the public to avoid close contact with monkeys and macaques, especially in places of religious worship frequented by monkeys.

He further warned that the bacteria could spread to humans if they come into contact with contaminated areas. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunarathne revealed the cost of the animal census conducted earlier this year.

He said the survey was conducted to gain a proper understanding of crop-damaging animals for a scientific policy response.

Denying claims that the project cost exceeded Rs. 70 million, the Deputy Minister released an official cost breakdown. The total cost of the census was Rs. 3.916 million, the deputy minister said.

According to the official report, the census has revealed the following animal populations

•⁠ ⁠Toque Monkeys: 5.19 million (5197517)
•⁠ ⁠Langur Monkeys: 1.75 million (1747623)
•⁠ ⁠Peacocks: 4.28 million (4285745)
•⁠ ⁠Dandu Lena (Giant Squirrel): 2.67 million (2666630)

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Sri Lankan Fact-checking website, Factcrescendo, says viral claims that Sri Lanka is building multiple “rope canopy bridges” for monkeys and squirrels across the country are misleading.

Factcrescendo says viral Facebook posts, shared primarily in English, claimed that Sri Lanka has installed rope canopy bridges made of durable ropes or netting over roads to provide safe passage for tree-living wildlife, including monkeys, squirrels, and the endangered purple-faced langur.

It is said that bridges are strategically placed in high-traffic areas near forests like Sinharaja to reduce roadkill and maintain ecological connectivity across fragmented habitats. The infrastructure allows species to cross roads without descending to ground level, protecting them from vehicle strikes while preserving wildlife movement patterns.

Reports also state that one such bridge has already been finalised on the Sigiriya-Inamaluwa road, and dozens are under construction in areas like Sinharaja and Aththidiya. Some other posts also claimed that the so-called “sky bridges” building was happening in large numbers in Sri Lanka, the website said. 

Factcrescendo said despite viral claims of multiple new bridges or a country-wide project, the Sri Lankan authority, the Wildlife Department of Sri Lanka, have confirmed that no other rope canopy crossings have been built or are under construction. 

The Sigiriya bridge remains the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka. WNPS had announced plans in 2022 for a second bridge near the Attidiya wetlands south of Colombo, but wildlife department sources say no such project has been carried out. 

Inquiries with the Wildlife Department’s research division indicate that there is no current plan for multiple rope bridges or a national rollout. 

The WNPS officers also stated that they abandoned this project in 2022 after initiating this Sigiriya bridge and did not continue towards other areas of the country due to some roadblocks and practical difficulties. 

Factcrescendo revealed that local reports and officials emphasise that outside this one bridge, any social media claims of new crossings or dozens of bridges are misleading, and the representative images used in social media posts appear to be AI-generated.

In conclusion, the fact-checking website said that Sri Lanka’s single Sigiriya canopy bridge represents a promising but limited conservation initiative that has been misrepresented in viral social media claims.

While the country successfully implemented one functional rope bridge in 2022, contrary to recent claims, that has demonstrably reduced roadkill for endangered purple-faced langurs, there is no evidence of the widespread national program suggested in viral posts.

Full report : https://srilanka.factcrescendo.com/english/sri-lankas-canopy-bridges-fact-vs-fiction-and-the-bigger-picture (Newswire)

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The islandwide Animal Census, which was conducted in March this year, was made public at the Ministry of Agriculture today. 

Speaking to the media, representatives of the Ministry revealed that the census has reported 5.17 million Toque monkeys (Rilawa) and 1.74 million Grey Langurs (Wandura) in Sri Lanka. 

They further said that giant squirrels amount to 2.66 million and that there were 4.74 million peacocks. 

Sri Lanka conducted a nationwide census on 15 March to identify crop-damaging animals affecting the agricultural sector.

The public was given a five-minute window, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:05 a.m., to count these animals on their properties using a designated form.

The census, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, aimed to track the presence of animals such as monkeys, giant squirrels, and peacocks in home gardens and farmlands. 

The initiative was conducted to help authorities devise strategies to mitigate the impact on crops. (Newswire)

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The pilot programme to sterilise monkeys, in a bid to address crop destruction, commences in Matale today.

The Agriculture Ministry has allocated Rs. 4.5 million for this programme, which has received the support of several veterinarians.

The monkeys are to be transported to the Wildlife Research & Training Centre in Giritale, where they will be sterilised, and later released back to the wild. 

The Agriculture Ministry intends to expand the programme islandwide in the near future. 

Meanwhile, commenting on his recent statement in Parliament regarding crop-destructing monkeys, Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha said he had only highlighted the need to contain this menace.

Stating that environmentalists were raising concerns over the killing of monkeys, the minister said his intentions were only to contain the menace to help the livelihoods of farmers. 

“I think it is good that environmentalists have engaged in this dialogue. I intended to create countrywide awareness on the matter. Now, the involvement of various parties has achieved this. All parties need to work together to find a quick solution. As by the time long-term solutions are implemented, farmers would have abandoned farming due to this menace,” he said. (Newswire) 

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China is still keen on receiving monkeys from Sri Lanka, Minister for Plantation Industries Mahinda Amaraweera said. 

Speaking in Parliament today (Jan 09), Minister Amaraweera said during his recent visit to China, private zoo companies had expressed their hopes of acquiring the Sri Lankan toque macaque monkeys.

“The private Chinese zoo companies are still looking forward to acquiring Sri Lankan monkeys for exhibition purposes. There are around 20,000 private zoos in China. However, we are unable to move forward due to the actions of animal activists and organizations,” he said. 

The minister also pointed out the court case filed against this move, resulting in a court order being issued prohibiting the export of Sri Lankan monkeys to China. 

Emphasizing that monkeys were a key cause for the destruction of crops, including nearly 700 million coconuts a year, Minister Amaraweera said the government will now have to look into alternative ways to address crop destruction. 

The minister proposed in Parliament for the Ministries of Defence and Wildlife Conservation to provide a solution for the destruction of crops by certain wild animals. (NewsWire)

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There is a great demand from other foreign nations for Sri Lankan toque macaque monkeys, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera informed Parliament today.

Addressing the Parliament, the Minister said as the matter related to a similar request from a Chinese firm had gained great exposure in international media, requests have come from many other countries as well on the possibility of exporting monkeys for their zoos.

“As the request from the Chinese firm ended in turmoil and a court case, the other foreign firms have been requested to make an official request via their respective Embassies in Sri Lanka for this purpose,” Minister Amaraweera said.

Commenting on the issue surrounding the proposal to export Sri Lankan toque macaque monkeys to China, the Minister explained that the request was made by a private Chinese firm that manages nearly 10,000 zoos in China

“They requested 100,000 monkeys, and the request was also for the immediate exportation of 2,000 monkeys within a month. Several discussions were conducted in this regard. The final discussion saw the representation of Wildlife Department officials and the Chinese firm,” he said.

Minister Amaraweera further said that during the meeting, the Chinese firm was instructed to make a request via the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, to make it an official request, to which the former had agreed. 

“We conducted our private inquiries into the Chinese firm and if they own zoos, and the demand for monkeys, which was confirmed. However, during this process objections were raised by many groups, including environmentalists and politicians, tarnishing the reputation of China,” he said.

The minister pointed out that the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka was forced to announce at the time that it had not been informed of any such proposal, as discussions were still ongoing and due to public pressure on the subject.

“I had personally requested the Chinese Embassy to inquire into this Chinese firm and present a report to the Agriculture Ministry. We are yet to receive a response to our written request,” he added.

Minister Amaraweera also revealed that amidst all of this, environmentalists had filed a case in court, due to which all measures pertaining to the export of Sri Lankan toque macaque monkeys to China have been temporarily halted. 

“There is great destruction to crops due to these monkeys, to the extent of 200 million coconut per year, and with several farmers facing difficulties. There is no objection from the public, but only environmental organizations. It is essential to deal with crop-destroying animals,” he emphasized.

The Agriculture Minister further pointed out that his ministry had only attempted to get rid of the monkeys without killing them, but the matter had been blown out of proportion. 

His remarks were made in response to a question raised on the matter by Opposition MP Niroshan Perera in Parliament today (Oct 05). (NewsWire)

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The request by a Chinese firm to acquire 100,000 Toque monkeys from Sri Lanka still remains, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera informed the Parliament today (09)

Minister Amaraweera stated that a Chinese firm had made a request from the Agriculture Ministry to export 100,000 Toque monkeys to their Zoos in China for exhibition purposes.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera stated that a committee had been appointed and discussions were being held on the matter, while it was also observed that the necessary measures in this regard must be taken by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

“However, several environmental organizations raised concerns over the matter claiming that the monkeys are being exported as food to China. The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka also faced severe backlash over the matter,” he said. 

Minister Amaraweera further stated that as the Chinese firm is still keen on acquiring monkeys from Sri Lanka, the authorities had informed that a final decision will be taken following discussions with the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The Minister revealed that, however, the environmentalists have now filed a case at the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka against the proposed plan.

“The authorities have considered exporting monkeys as a possible solution to the large-scale crop destruction faced in the country. It is not a complete solution, but just an option,” he added. (NewsWire)

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The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka has issued a clarification on the recent media reports claiming Sri Lanka was considering exporting nearly 100,000 toque macaque monkeys to China.

The Embassy said in a statement that it has noticed recent disinformation on local and foreign media about Sri Lanka exporting “100 thousand” “endangered” toque macaque monkeys to a Chinese private company for “experimental purpose”, as well as detailed clarifications by the Minister of Agriculture and the Cabinet Spokesperson of Sri Lanka thereafter.

The Embassy said it has also checked with relevant authorities in Beijing, adding that the Chinese National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the main government department supervising and managing the import and export of wild animals and plants, has clearly clarified that it is not aware of the request and has not received such an application from any side. 

The Chinese Embassy further stated that it would like to stress that as a contracting party of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), China has already adopted its Wildlife Protection Law in 1988 with several amendments afterwards. 

The Chinese government always attaches great importance to wildlife protection and actively fulfils international obligations, which makes China one of the top countries in the world in terms of wildlife protection legislation and law enforcement, it added.

The Chinese Embassy’s clarification comes after it was reported that Chinese Zoo Company, Zhejiang Wuyu Animal Breeding Co. Limited had made a written request from Sri Lanka’s Agriculture Ministry to export crop-damaging monkeys to be placed in their zoos for exhibition purposes.

In a letter addressed to the Agriculture Ministry, seen by NewsWire, the Chinese firm said it has made the offer based on reports that Sri Lanka was looking to get rid of certain crop-destroying species.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena said the government has not held any discussion on exporting Toque monkeys to China.

Minister Gunawardena told the media yesterday (18) that the proposal had been made along with several other proposals provided by various parties pertaining to the imports and exports of Sri Lanka.

He further said that thereby, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera made a proposal to export crop-destroying monkeys to 1000 Zoos operated by a private firm in China, adding that a committee has been appointed to address the matter. (NewsWire)

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