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NEW LIFE IN THE CONGO BASIN

A DECADE OF SPECIES DISCOVERIES (2013–2023)

Coffee, crocodile, and monkey: 742 new species discovered in the Congo Basin

A report released by WWF Africa has unveiled remarkable discoveries: 742 new species of plants and animals found in the Congo Basin over a decade.  Between 2013 and 2023, scientists uncovered an astonishing 742 new species in the Congo Basin. From a new species of coffee to a crocodile and even a monkey called the ‘lesula,’ These discoveries tell the story of the region’s incredible biodiversity and global importance.
 

    
 
 

Download the report!

THE DISCOVERIES

The new report, “New Life in the Congo Basin: A Decade of Species Discoveries (2013–2023),” highlights the findings of hundreds of scientists from around the world. While these discoveries are ‘new to science’, that only means these species have been formally identified and documented in scientific literature for the first time. But while researchers are just now making these discoveries official, many of these plants and animals have been well-known to local communities for generations.

What they found: 742 fascinating species

430 plants, including rare orchids and new coffee species

140 invertebrates, such as spiders and beetles

96 fish, including electric species

42 reptiles, like a crocodile and turtles

22 amphibians, including clawed frogs

2 birds

10 mammals, including a monkey locally known as the ‘lesula’ ​
 

A new coffee species - Coffea rizetiana

The Slender-Snouted Crocodile - Mecistops leptorhynchus

The Lesula monkey - Cercopithecus lomamiensis

The Robust Sparklewing dragonfly - Umma gumma

The African Helmeted Terrapin - Pelomedusa schweinfurthi

The Principe Scops-Owl - Otus bikegila

A new orchid species - Sirdavidia solannona

The Dwarf Water Cobra - Naja nana

The False Fraser’s Clawed Frog - Xenopus allofraseri

The vital role of the Congo Basin

Known as the “lungs of Africa,” the Congo Basin is the world’s largest carbon sink and tropical peatland. Spanning across six countries, it sustains over 75 million people who rely on its resources for food, shelter, and cultural identity.

DID YOU KNOW?

There are five iconic forest species found in Africa's biggest rainforest 
Amongst many smaller species, there are significant populations of forest elephants, as well as the awe-inspiring great apes – bonobos, gorillas and chimpanzees – and leopards. These are the charismatic and iconic species that many people imagine when they think about Africa's great forests along the equator.
 

Indigenous communities have long coexisted with and protected the forests of the Congo Basin. Many of the newly described species have been known to these communities for generations.

742 Reasons to Care

These discoveries remind us of what’s at stake and why conservation matters. The Congo Basin is not only a biodiversity hotspot but also a lifeline for millions of people. Protecting it is essential for the planet, for wildlife, and for future generations.

WE ARE THE FIRST GENERATION THAT HAS A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE VALUE OF NATURE AND THE ENORMOUS IMPACT WE HAVE ON IT.WE MAY ALSO BE THE LAST THAT CAN ACT TO REVERSE THIS TREND.