Recently, a 70-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus bataar skeleton was returned to the Mongolian government. The skeleton in question was part of an international custody battle, which was resolved by agreeing to have the dinosaur returned to the country of origin.
"We cannot allow the greed of a few looters and schemers to trump the cultural interests of an entire nation," Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency Director John Morton said in a statement.
The skeleton was sold at auction in NYC back in 2012 for $1.05 million; despite the import document claiming that the remains were discovered in Britain, paleontologists were not convinced. The Tyrannosaurus bataar is considered to be the Asian species and "sister taxon" of the Tyrannosaurus rex, and according to ICE statements have so far only been found in Mongolia.
Further investigations revealed that the skeleton had originated from the Gobi Desert and was shipped illegally through Great Britain and then to the United States. The remains were imported by Eric Prokopi of Gainsville, Florida, who describes himself as a "commercial paleontologist." Charged with smuggling illegal goods, possessing stolen goods, and providing false statements, Prokopi pled guilty to the bulk of the charges. As part of a plea deal, Prokopi has surrendered other Tyrannosaurus bataar skeletons and three other skeletons.
"It's really important that as nations, we recognize there's a difference between art sold in the regular course of business, and then there are things that are truly national heritage," said ICE director John Morton.
According to Mongolian law, any dinosaur fossils found in Mongolia belong to the country and its people. The skeleton was flown back to Mongolia free of charge via Korean Air and Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj thanked U.S. authorities for their assistance in the repatriation. The dinosaur, which once stood 8 feet tall and was 24 feet long, will eventually become the centerpiece of a new museum called the Central Dinosaur Museum of Mongolia.
"We are very pleased to have played a pivotal role in returning Mongolia's million-dollar baby," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said. "Of course, that million-dollar price tag, as high as it is, doesn't begin to describe the true value of an ancient artifact that is part of the fabric of a country's natural history and cultural heritage."
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