"It's One of a Kind"... Two Men in Their 40s Break $200,000 Fossil in US Museum

Mammoth Fossil Damaged at Missouri Museum
Up to 4 Years in Prison If Convicted

Two men are facing potential criminal charges after damaging a massive fossil while fooling around at a museum in the United States.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, a local U.S. media outlet, on March 17 (local time), two men in their 40s have been indicted on charges of damaging a mammoth fossil at a natural history museum in Missouri.

Ivory of the mammoth fossil proudly exhibited at the Ozark Natural History Museum in the United States. Screenshot from the museum's Instagram.

The two visited the Ozark Natural History Museum in Branson, Missouri, on the afternoon of March 8. The museum mainly houses prehistoric animal specimens and artifacts from the American Civil War era.

One of the group suggested that someone try hanging from the giant tusk on display in the museum. Following the suggestion, one man climbed onto another's shoulders and hung from the tusk, which then crashed to the floor and shattered into pieces.

The tusk reportedly weighs about 90 kilograms and is valued at close to 200,000 dollars (approximately 300 million won). At the time of the incident, a museum staff member was monitoring the two through the surveillance system and tried to intercept them as soon as the tusk broke. However, the two men ran away as the staff approached. Ultimately, both were apprehended later that night.

They have been charged with first-degree property damage and, if convicted, could face up to four years in prison. The court has prohibited any contact between the two and has banned them from entering the museum.

According to museum officials, the damaged tusk was an exceptionally well-preserved artifact. The museum stated, "The tusk was one of a kind. It is unlikely that we will ever find another like it," adding, "Although there are a few large fragments remaining, it is very difficult to replace."

The museum also commented, "We never expected fully grown adults to pull such a prank. But what’s done is done."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.