The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Penghu County Government is currently exhibiting a replica of the Penghu Crocodile (Crocodylus penghuensis Pan) fossil in the arrival hall of Penghu Airport. Visitors are invited to journey through time and encounter this mysterious creature from 15 million years ago. The exhibition runs until March 9, Year 116 of the ROC calendar.

The fossil was discovered in 2006 in a sandstone layer near the low-tide line along the coast of Xiyu, Penghu. It is a rare “in situ burial” fossil, remarkably well-preserved with clear stratigraphic context. After three years of restoration and research by the National Museum of Natural Science, it was officially announced in 2009, marking a significant breakthrough in Taiwan’s paleontology.

This crocodile fossil was embedded in the Miocene “Yuwengdao Formation,” dating back approximately 15 to 17 million years ago. It is one of the oldest vertebrate fossils ever found in Taiwan, predating the fauna discovered in the Penghu Channel. The Penghu crocodile not only helps us understand the geology and ecology of 15 million years ago, but also bridges science and imagination—allowing us to reconstruct ancient life and environments from fossilized bones. It is an important part of Penghu’s natural and cultural heritage.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that by displaying the replica at a major transportation hub, they hope visitors can immediately experience the island’s millions of years of natural history upon arrival, while also raising awareness of heritage preservation and science education. The original fossil is currently housed in the Penghu Fossil Museum. The second-floor exhibition hall is temporarily closed for renovation and is expected to reopen in May, when visitors will be able to view the original specimen.