Carolyn L. Ehardt, an anthropologist at the University of Georgia is co-discover of a new species of monkey. The first one found in Africa in the past twenty years.
The scientists said there were probably fewer than 1,000 of the mangabeys living in these areas. The Ndundulo forest is in excellent condition, they said, but the Rungwe forest habitat is under assault by loggers, poachers and others. They expect the new species to be classified as critically endangered.
The newly discovered monkey, a tree-dwelling creature, is about three feet long, with long brownish fur. It has a crest of hair on its head and abundant whiskers. Unlike other Lophocebus mangabeys, which communicate with a “whoop gobble,” the new species has an unusual “honk bark,” the researchers said.
