Tapanuli Orangutans isolated for 10s of 1000s of years: Are they modern Gigantopithecus?
Channel: Eric Dondero, Right-Anthro & Human Origins
Date: 2024-01-20

The Primatologists say that Gigantopithecus-blacki likely went extinct around 200,000 years ago in southern China.  There is a new study out that looks at the causes of Gigantopithecus' extinction. But other primatologists and researchers have suggested that the species may have lived on in southeast Asia.  

We also know that Orangutans in Indonesia descend from Orangs in southeast Asia.  In 2017 a third species of Orangs was discovered deep in the jungles of Sumatra.  Genetic evidence was recovered by researchers from a deceased Tapanuli.  The DNA suggests a very ancient link from Tapanuli to the original species in southeast Asia.  And the Tapunili are distinct from the larger Borneo and Sumatra Orang species.  

A Tapanuli lineage from Giganto?

This is the first installment of a series of videos we will have on Gigantopithecus, likely 5 or 6 in the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned...