Bouvier’s red colobus is a species of colobus monkey. It was rediscovered in the Republic of the Congo in 2015 for the first time in 4 decades without a confirmed sighting. The last unverified sighting (I am unsure how much further we need to go back for a confirmed sighting) of this species was in the 1970s. Recent surveys by the WCS had recorded this species in (the now created) Ntokou-Pikounda National park in 2007 and 2014, unfortunately they were rarely encountered, and no photographs were taken. 

Bouvier’s red colobus has brownish-red fur on its body that is lighter than its closest relative, the Pennant’s colobus. Its head has a patch of black to chocolate brown fur that is smaller than the pennantii. It has a white chin and whiskers. A black band of fur extends from above the eyes to the temples. The monkey’s eyes are surround by large, pink eye rings. The tail & is long in proportion to its small body and is dark brown at the root, fading to brownish-red at the tip. The fur on the species’ underside is lighter than the fur on its back. 

Bouvier’s red colobus is thought to exhibit considerable facial variation from individual to individual, varying from light flesh-coloured with blackish cheeks and brows to darker tones throughout the face, excluding the nose and lips. Bouvier’s red colobus lives in swampy forests surrounding the Congo River, between the mouths of the Alima River and Oubangui Rivers. 

It does not show fear of humans, making it an easy target for Bushmeat hunters – and may well be eaten into extinction.

It is quite understandable classed as Critically endangered.