Why did France return the dinosaur skeleton to Mongolia?

France returned the dinosaur skeleton because it was looted from Mongolia and seized by French customs, leading to its repatriation.

What is the significance of the Tarbosaurus bataar skeleton?

The Tarbosaurus bataar skeleton is a rare, 70-million-year-old fossil, considered the Asian cousin of the T-Rex, representing a significant scientific and cultural treasure for Mongolia.

Where will the returned dinosaur fossils be displayed in Mongolia?

The returned fossils, including the Tarbosaurus bataar skeleton and dinosaur eggs, will be studied, restored, and eventually displayed in a new museum planned by Mongolia.

Home / Science / France Repatriates Looted Gobi Desert Dinosaur Fossil

France Repatriates Looted Gobi Desert Dinosaur Fossil

8 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A 70-million-year-old Tarbosaurus bataar skeleton was returned to Mongolia.
The fossil was looted from the Gobi Desert and seized by French customs in 2015.
Dinosaur eggs and other fossils were also handed over during the ceremony in Paris.

France Repatriates Looted Gobi Desert Dinosaur Fossil

France has officially returned a 70-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton to Mongolia, marking a victory in the nation's campaign to recover stolen antiquities. The fossil, identified as a Tarbosaurus bataar, was confiscated by French customs in 2015 after being looted from the Gobi Desert.

During a ceremony in Paris, Public Accounts Minister Amelie de Montchalin handed the "extremely rare" skeleton and other items, including dinosaur eggs, to Mongolia's culture and sports minister, Undram Chinbat. De Montchalin emphasized the restitution as a return of a "scientific and cultural treasure" to its homeland, highlighting the meticulous investigation that led to its recovery.

Minister Chinbat expressed profound gratitude, stating the return of the fossils is "very important" for the Mongolian people. The repatriated artifacts are slated for study and restoration before being displayed in a new museum that Mongolia plans to open soon. This handover reinforces Mongolia's commitment to protecting its paleontological heritage, as all fossils found in the Gobi Desert are considered government property with strict export bans in place.