Scientists discovered the remains of a new giant turkey-like carnivorous dinosaur in southern Utah. Based on the fossilized hand and foot bones found in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and other related skeletons found in Asia, the scientists from the University of Utah and the Utah Museum of Natural History say that the animal was probably seven feet tall.
From a University of Utah News Release (illustration by Michael Skrepnick):
The new dinosaur, formally dubbed Hagryphus giganteus, which means “giant four-footed, bird-like god of the western desert” in reference to the animal’s outward resemblance to a large land bird, its giant stature, and its discovery in the Utah desert. Hagryphus is a member of the oviraptorosaurs, a group of bird-like feathered dinosaurs with toothless beaks, powerful arms and formidable claws…
One bony claw of Hagryphus preserves the impression of the keratinous fingernail-like that would have covered the claw in life.
Link to News Release, Link to Associated Press coverage (Thanks John Parres and Xeni Jardin!)