DO ROCK APES EXIST

The Rock Apes, also known as the Rock Apes of Vietnam, Batutut, Ujit, or Người rừng ("jungle people"), a group of alleged violent humanoids reportedly sighted multiple times during the Vietnam War, which ranged from 1955 to 1975. These creatures were seen mostly by American G.I.s, who told their stories after returning home.

Rock apes aren’t the only ape-like humanoids in the world. In the United States there are accounts of “Bigfoot”, "Mountain devils", "Boogers", "Grassmen", Swamp Apes, Skunk Apes"Wildmen", and “Sasquatch“. "Sasquatch" may also be found in Canada, along with "Wendigos". The Himalayas of Nepal and India, report sightings of “Yeti” or “Abominable Snowmen”. There are stories of “Yowies” in Australia, "Yehren" in China, "Almas" in Russia, and many more throughout the world. There are creatures similar to Sasquatch virtually everywhere, except Hawaii. Although it's worth mentioning they have "Menehune", which are basically smaller sasquatch. Though the world may call these humanoid creatures by many names, they often refer to a tall hairy bipedal creature of the secret wilds.

The Appearance Of Rock Apes

Rock Apes were described as hairy, Sasquatch-like humanoids. They were said to be from three to seven feet tall, stout, and very muscular, and some with protruding stomachs. Their hair ranged from red, orange, brown, and black in color, covering everywhere except for their knees, the soles of their feet, hands, and face. The feet of the Rock Apes said to look like deformed human feet, similar to the famous photographed 1960 ”Yeti“ footprints of the Himalayan mountains in Nepal.

The Behaviour Of Rock Apes

Rock apes are said to live very deep in the jungle, resulting in fearlessness of humans. They do not shy away from human contact. Prior to the american troop presence, it was said Rock Apes would sometimes walk up to, and sit beside villagers. "The forest people" as they called them, even had the ability to start fires for their own purposes. Post American presence however, they were known to throw rocks (hence the name Rock Apes) and even return grenades when thrown at them. The creatures would also yell and shake their fists in anger at troops in a reportedly human-like manner. Tales exist of vicious attacks and other violent acts. Some exchanges resulting in gruesome human death by being "torn limb from limb" and having guts ripped out. Seemingly if the creature is avoided it will not instigate malice. But if any action taken against it is anything other than peaceful, the human party will pay in blood.

Vietnam has no native apes within its borders. Yet countless soldiers reported to have seen them, or rather “ape-like creatures” when fighting in the country’s dense jungles during the Vietnam-American war. They were known as “rock apes” and stories about them came in by the hundreds. In fact, so many rock ape stories came from a single location that it became known as “Monkey Mountain” on the Sơn Trà Peninsula. U.S. and Viet Cong troops alike told tales about being attacked by creatures that were “human-like,” had 5+ inch-long fangs, and the ability to climb the terrain’s steep rocks with ease. In Vietnam, they’re referred to as batututs, or jungle people. 

They are further described as having red hair, ape-like features, and to often have their babies with them. Batututs were said to be around 6’ tall, have long limbs, protruding stomachs, and to live in a pack. 

They earned their name, not for living on rocks, however, but because they threw them. Usually in response after rocks were first thrown at them, the primates would launch rocks back at unsuspecting soldiers, earning their name of rock apes. 

Interestingly enough, the apes didn’t seem to fear humans. In most cases, soldiers came extremely close to the rock apes before they realized they were there. This was most often chalked up to the apes knowing they could out-power humans, or simply having a calm demeanor, used to the quiet jungle atmosphere. 

A shot of primate reconstructions from the TV show, Planet of the Apes.

Despite multiple detailed reports, there’s no evidence that shows that these apes actually exist. Not even to Vietnam. No bodies were ever found, despite multiple accounts of rock apes being killed, and no pictures could be taken. 

Due to the lack of evidence, Vietnam’s rock apes have been chalked up to a cryptid -- a yeti or Loch Ness Monster-type creature. One that has much lore, but no proof of existence. 

The area received further hype when there was a supposed Bigfoot sighting.

Possible rock ape explanations

As stories about the apes began pouring in, higher-ups wondered what was plaguing their soldiers.

At first, scientists believed soldiers were encountering orangutans, which were originally native to Vietnam. However, orangutans became extinct to the country thousands of years before the war. Another animal that was considered as a source was the white-cheeked gibbon. But the white-cheeked gibbon is too small to fit the size description of larger rock apes; it was considered that they were the source of so-called baby rock apes, however. 

The stories were so prolific that in 1974, the general of the Vietnam People's Army even ordered an expedition to capture and research these creatures. Nothing concrete was ever found. 

In conclusion it’s thought that the rock apes are a humanoid creature that is native to the Vietnam jungle, only becoming visible when otherwise inhabited areas were flooded with soldiers. As to why they have yet to be discovered, locals are said to avoid Vietnam jungles to this day, with the knowledge that there are thousands of live land mines that could be triggered with exploration.

The truth behind these Vietnam apes has yet to be found. Perhaps one day the mystery can be solved, and we’ll know if these creatures are fact or fiction, once and for all.

THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW: How many wild creatures are there? The short answer: No one knows, and no one will ever know for sure. There are only estimates. The informed estimates range from 2000-6000 individuals for all of North America, but does not include the rest of the world which there are thousands of sightings.

THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO SAVE: Actual photos and videos of wild creatres and rock apes.

ZENTRAVELER SAYS: Thinking of making a Rock Ape suit so you can clickbait the world. Dont allow this info to be disributed to WILD ROCK APES as this could end up like the grim reaper digging your own grave.

TIP: Make sure your clickbait suit maker knows the difference between bears and rock apes.

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