"Climate Change Blamed for Extinction of Largest-Ever Great Ape"
A new study suggests that the largest great ape species, Gigantopithecus blacki, went extinct due to climate change, which led to a scarcity of their preferred fruits during dry seasons. The massive size of these apes made it difficult for them to adapt by climbing trees to find alternative food sources. Fossil evidence from southern China indicates that the species likely disappeared between 215,000 and 295,000 years ago as the environment changed, causing a decline in their preferred food. This research sheds light on the impact of climate change on ancient great ape populations.
