Imperobator (NuGen)

The **New Zealand false goblin** (*Imperobator zealandius*) is a species of non-avian theropod dinosaur that originally lived during the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous period in what is now James Ross Island in Antarctica as an extinct species, *Imperobator antarcticus*, and the genus itself was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by NuGen and introduced throughout the modern boreal and alpine forested habitats across New Zealand to help boost biodiversity. The New Zealand false goblin is a large animal, with the shoulder height of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall, the length of between 5-6 meters (16-20 feet) long, and a weight of 250-370 kilograms (551-815 lbs). Unlike true goblins, which are any members of the Dromaeosauridae family, the New Zealand false goblin lacks some key goblin traits, most notable of these being the absence of a sickle claw on the second toe of each foot. This indicates that, while not a true goblin, the New Zealand false goblin developed a body plan similar to its paravian relatives due to convergent evolution. With dark scales around its eyes and the front of its snout, as well as parts of its upper legs and tails, it is mostly covered in a thick coat of translucent feathers (much like the translucent fur of polar bears) that, during the winter, can appear white, gray, or black, or even have a faint yellowish or greenish tint, due to lighting, viewing angles, or dirt and grime; during the summer, its plumage turns dark or dull brown in color to help the animal adapt to changing seasons. The feathers of its arms and pygostyles (tail fans) also comes in black color. While overall sleek in form, it robust compared to similar animals. The legs of the New Zealand false goblin are heavily-feathered like those of a booted eagle, which is an adaptation for the cold environment it lives in. Like true goblins, the New Zealand false goblin is an obligate carnivore and usually preys on large native animals like moas, as well as non-native mammals such as deer and wallabies. Due to the harsh winter conditions in parts of their range, New Zealand false goblins form family packs of at least five to help in conserving heat (by huddling together) and hunt prey for the whole group with the cooperation of several of the members. They are intelligent enough to take advantage of the environment, like the cover of the trees and the soft snow, to help conceal them and soften the sound of their footsteps, making them more stealthy as they hunt and stalk for prey in the forests of New Zealand. The New Zealand false goblins use their forearms and their tails (which constantly swing as they run) to balance themselves, control their descent, and help steer their bodies while running, serving as brakes, much like a ship's rudder or a cheetah's long tail. The New Zealand false goblin breeds during the spring month of September and often lays eggs during the later part of that month, with incubation periods lasting between 6 and 9 weeks. The young are immediately cared for by their mothers for up to 4 months until they are independent from their mothers, and the species reaches sexual maturity at 2 years old. The average lifespan of the New Zealand false goblin is about 16 years, although specimens of almost 25 years have been recorded in the wild and in captivity. The conservation status of the New Zealand false goblin is **Vulnerable** due to some habitat loss and persecution, however, thanks to conservationists, the New Zealand false goblin is a protected species and is making a comeback.