The thefts are alleged to have occurred on state trust lands in Wayne County in southeastern Utah.The Tribune describes the area as "a Jurassic fossil trove, filled with ancient trees and bones of familiar dinosaur species."

Fossil theft "is a chronic problem in southern Utah," according to The Tribune. The area is rich in "paleontological resources of great value to science."

Extracting fossils is painstaking work that requires special skills, exacting methods and precision tools. Thieves, having none of those, often damage the fossils they dig up. That was the case with the bones that were hauled off to Texas, according to the criminal charges.

paleontologically significant sites in Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, according to the school's website.

than 8,500 students.



The story does not identify the suspected fossil thieves by name. It says one was a 53-year-old counselor and adjunct instructor in management who is no longer associated with the school. Three were students who have since graduated. One is identified only as a "nonstudent."The Geology Department at McLennan College offers field courses that enable students to visitThe 50-year-old community college has more

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