Chororapithecus (SciiFii)

The African kong (Chororapithecus griseo), also known as the gray gorilla (named after the fictional villains of the same name from the Congo film), is a species of great ape that originally lived in Africa during the Late Miocene as an extinct species, Chororapithecus abyssinicus, and the genus itself was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the modern tropical rainforests, wetlands, and forests across Africa to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relatives of the African kong are gorillas of the genus Gorilla. The African kong is a very large animal and can grow to be about 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall when standing on its hind legs, and weighing around 245 kilograms (540 lbs), more than 30% heavier than the average male gorilla. The African kong's teeth, both in absolute size and relative proportions, are similar to those of gorillas, and the molars range in size between the largest and smallest of what is normally seen in adult gorillas. Like in gorillas, the upper molars have a long protocone crest, and the lower molars have a correspondingly long trigonid crest, which increase shearing efficacy. Compared to gorillas, the cusp tips are relatively peripheral, are not well pronounced, and the enamel is thicker especially at the side cusps where the tooth borders other teeth. This causes a wide basin on the middle of the molar. This is reminiscent of the condition seen in Hominini (humans and chimps). The upper molars are elongated and narrow, and also have a gorilla-like enamel-dentine juncture. The teeth of the African kong are used for shearing and even folded and pulverised tough plant fibres rather than cut through them as gorillas and other folivores with higher cusps do. The African kong is almost exclusively herbivorous and primarily feeds on bamboo, fruits, nuts, and leaves, although it is known to feed on termites like gorillas. The African kong is highly social, and lives in relatively stable, cohesive groups held together by long-term bonds between adult males and females. Relationships among females are relatively weak. These groups are nonterritorial; the silverback generally defends his group rather than his territory. Although strong and powerful, African kongs are generally gentle and very shy. Severe aggression is rare in stable groups, but when two African kong groups meet, the two silverbacks can sometimes engage in a fight to the death, using their canines to cause deep, gaping injuries. For this reason, conflicts are most often resolved by displays and other threat behaviors that are intended to intimidate without becoming physical. The conservation status of the African kong is Vulnerable due to some habitat loss and historic poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the African kong is a protected species and is making a comeback.