National Park Service investigators hope to find these men to ask them about the theft of fossilized animal tracks taken from Death Valley National Park/NPS via remote cameras

A $1,000 reward has been posted by the National Park Service for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever stole fossilized tracks from Death Valley National Park.

The tracks, estimated to be 3-5 million years old, where laid down when mammals and birds scampered across a muddy lakeshore that since has turned to rock. Scientists visit the area regularly, photographing and recording the exact location of each footprint. During a recent visit, they discovered the fossils were missing and reported it to park rangers.

Backpackers in the area were photographed and may have witnessed the crime or have information about those responsible. 

“It’s illegal to collect fossils, rocks, or anything else in National Parks,” said Death Valley Superintendent Mike Reynolds. “The purpose of national parks is to conserve the landscape and everything it contains for the next generation. I ask that visitors come and enjoy all there is to see, and to leave it unimpaired for others to enjoy.”

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