Whale fossil stolen from Meghalaya cave, spotlight on illegal trade

In March 2024, Romanian speleologist Tudor L Tomas, along with local guides Milton M Sangma and Salban M Sangma, was studying a cave at the Gongdap Kol sinkhole, near Tolegre village in the South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. In one of the caves, the team came across a large fossil jaw with black fangs exposed in the limestone.

The team, which was conducting the exploration for the non-profit Core Geo Expeditions, informed authorities about the discovery, after which the Geological Survey of India examined the site. It was estimated that the fossil is of a prehistoric whale dating back to the Middle Eocene period (39-47 million years ago).

But 10 months later, on January 27, parts of the fossil were reported to have been stolen from the cave.

“The fossil was being protected by locals of Tolegre village. It was inside the cave and a locked metal grill was put up on the entrance. The thief or thieves managed to cut the grill and get inside and remove parts of the fossil,” Shailendra Bamaniya, Superintendent of Police, South Garo Hills district, told Mongabay India.

“An FIR was lodged at the Siju police station on January 28. We are conducting our investigation, and the statements of locals have been taken.” Two...

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