New research reveals that Protemnodon tumbuna, a large kangaroo species, survived in northern New Guinea until around 6,500 years ago.This challenges previous assumptions that all megafauna in Australia and New Guinea went extinct simultaneously.Fossil evidence from sites like Taora rockshelter indicates these animals coexisted with humans for tens of thousands of years.The study, published in npj Biodiversity, highlights complex factors driving extinctions, including climate change, habitat loss, and human activity.While some species vanished earlier, others persisted longer, suggesting varied ecological responses.The findings contribute to understanding the nuanced interactions between ancient ecosystems, human populations, and environmental shifts.This discovery also underscores the importance of New Guinea's unique biodiversity in shaping regional palaeohistory.