1.77-Meter-Tall Giant Penguin Fossil Discovered in New Zealand

A fossil of an extinct giant penguin was recently discovered in New Zealand. The penguin is believed to have stood taller than the average person and even the emperor penguin, the world's largest penguin.

The recent discovery suggests that giant penguins evolved rapidly after the dinosaurs became extinct 60 million years ago.

Based on the fossil fragments, this giant penguin, Kumimanu biceae, stood 1.77 meters tall and weighed about 101 kilograms. Notable features include a thick keel on its sternum, parts of the chest attached to the wings, and long thigh bones not found in most penguin species today.

Because the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs also eliminated most competitors and predators, some animals, including this giant penguin species, were able to survive. As a result, most giant penguin species evolved to become larger and flourished. Penguins survived by developing hunting and mating behaviors, ways to maintain body temperature, and even advanced intelligence.

However, as other large species such as toothed whales and seals continued to evolve, giant penguins once again faced competition, and most eventually disappeared. Only the small penguin species commonly seen today remained.

In contrast, Waimanu manneringi was the first penguin fossil discovered and was found to have lived in New Zealand 62 million years ago. This flightless bird resembled a modern-day diving bird.

[Fam Times = Reporter Cho Yoon-ha]