De Loys' Ape
Field Report
De Loys’ Ape is based on a controversial 1920 photograph taken by Swiss geologist François De Loys during an expedition in Venezuela. The image shows a large, tailless primate propped on a crate, purportedly far larger than any known New World monkey. De Loys claimed it was evidence of an undiscovered South American great ape, sparking decades of debate. Critics later pointed out anatomical inconsistencies and argued it was likely a spider monkey staged to appear gigantic. Despite strong skepticism from primatologists, the story became entrenched in cryptozoological literature, often cited alongside Yeti and Bigfoot legends. Today, De Loys’ Ape serves as a fascinating case study in how photographic ambiguity and a sensational narrative can propel an otherwise dubious specimen into lasting folklore. It underscores humanity’s eagerness to discover “missing links” in unexpected places.
Classification
Type:Primate
Location:Venezuela, Zulia, Catatumbo
Traits:Tall, long-limbed, wide jaw, dark eyes, sparse hair
Threat Assessment
Danger Level: 6
First Reported: 1920s
Sightings: 4
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Behavioral Patterns
It lumbers on two legs through sparse forests, pausing often to scan its surroundings. When startled, it crashes away through underbrush.
Folklore & Origins
Early explorers claimed this was proof of a South American missing link lost in dense jungles.
Media Documentation
Originally reported by early 20th-century explorers and widely covered by European newspapers as a possible new primate. Later debunked, it remains a staple in books on cryptid hoaxes. Modern outlets treat it solely as historical pseudoscience.
Hoax Analysis
De Loys' Ape was originally presented as a new species but later discredited and considered a hoax or misidentification of known primates.