pilfered paleo.

[zooaw@zoom.zoo.latrobe.edu.au]

A number of specimens of  temnospondyl amphibians, mostly Benthosuchis
shshkini,and Thoosuchus sp. were stolen last year from display cabinets in
the Paleontological Institute Moscow. Most of these were superb, 3D,
perfect, acid prepared skulls from the "world heritage" locality near
Tikhvinskoye on the Volga. Interpol is involved in trying to recover the
specimens but so far only one has been located. The site itself is also
being decimated by collectors. The Russians are trying to work out a way to
protect the site but as yet have no legal means of doing so, at least as
far as I could understand the situation.
===================================================================== 
Dr Anne Warren                                          Fax + 61 3 479 1551
E-mail(internet): zooaw@zoom.latrobe.edu.au             Ph + 61 3 479 2241
Snail mail:     School of       Zoology , La Trobe Univeristy
                        Bundoora, Victoria, Australia 3083