Gigantopithecus
Gigantopithecus (from the Ancient Greek ' "giant", and ' "ape") is an extinct genus of ape that existed from perhaps nine million years to as recently as one hundred thousand years ago, at the same period as "Homo erectus" would have been dispersed, in what is now India, Vietnam, China and Indonesia placing "Gigantopithecus" in the same time frame and geographical location as several hominin species. The primate fossil record suggests that the species "Gigantopithecus blacki" were the largest known primates that ever lived, standing up to and weighing as much as , although some argue that it is more likely that they were much smaller, at roughly in height and in weight.
Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park
The park is home to significant populations of primates in Vietnam, with ten species and sub-species. These include the globally vulnerable pig-tailed macaque, Assam macaque, stump-tailed macaque and white-cheeked crested gibbon ("Nomascus leucogenys" and "Nomascus leucogenys siki"). The park is probably home to the largest population of François' langur in Vietnam, including two different forms of the species. The area is highly significant for its population of Hatinh langur and black langur. It is undoubtedly the largest population of these species in the world, and probably the only population represented in a protected area. Other endangered large mammals include the mainland serow ("Capricornis sumatraensis"), giant muntjac ("Megamuntiacus vuquangensis") and possibly the saola ("Pseudoryx nghetinhensis"). The Asian black bear ("Selenarctos thibetanus") and sun bear ("Helarctos malayanus") are confirmed. Other smaller mammals include Sunda pangolins ("Manis javanica") and the recently discovered striped hare, called locally "tho van" ("Nesolagus timminsii"). Ten bat species listed in the IUCN List of Threatened Species have been recorded in this park.