(CNN) Scientists have confirmed the discovery of a nearly complete fossil of a 25-million-year-old eagle that once flew over South Australia and preyed on koalas -- an incredibly rare find because of how well preserved it is, experts say. The newly discovered species, Archaehierax sylvestris, is one of the oldest eagle-like raptors in the world, according to a study published Monday in the peer-reviewed journal, Historical Biology. Archaehierax is the largest eagle known to have lived in Australia during the Oligocene period, which dates back about 33.9 million to 23 million years ago, the study said. It was smaller and more slender than the wedge-tailed eagle, Australia's largest bird of prey, according to the Western Australian Museum. A closeup of the Archaehierax sylvestris fossil as it appeared in the field.

Source: CNN September 27, 2021 17:03 UTC