Dinosaur Bone Poaching a Multimillion Dollar Problem in Utah

Organized thieves are doing enormous damage to important sites, state paleontologist says.

A marked dinosaur bone discovery at Fossil Point in Green River, Utah. Courtesy of Utah Geological Survey

GREEN RIVER, Utah—Fossil Point Trailhead at the remote desert base of southern Utah’s Morrison Formation marks the beginning of a long trek back to when dinosaurs roamed the land.

If you walk along the rugged trail with its ancient stream channels, you’ll eventually encounter fossil bones protruding from the mammoth boulders and multi-hued sandstone layers.