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ABC News
ABC News
National
By Natasha Schapova and Jonathon Kendall

Tree-climbing 'drop bears' and crocodiles inhabited eastern Australia millions of years ago

Nimbadon fossils were first discovered at Riversleigh in north-west Queensland during 1993. (Supplied)

An Australian folklore legend often used to intimidate tourists has been found by researchers to have existed in parts of eastern Australia about 15 million years ago.

International campers have for decades been led to believe the so-called drop bear, a koala-like carnivorous bear living in the treetops, would drop onto the heads of people walking beneath them. 

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