Men Charged After Woolly Mammoth Fossil Shattered at Museum

A museum visit in Missouri reportedly ended with a shattered fossil, felony charges, and a nationwide ban from Bass Pro-owned properties.

According to court documents, Brett Howard, 46, and Todd Azevedo, 48, both of Petaluma, California, are facing felony property damage charges after allegedly damaging a woolly mammoth tusk at the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum in Ridgedale, Missouri.

The museum is located at Top of the Rock, part of Big Cedar Lodge, which is owned by Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops.

What Happened

Authorities say the incident happened shortly before 11 p.m. on March 8.

According to court filings, Azevedo allegedly told Howard to grab the mammoth tusk. Investigators say Azevedo then lifted Howard onto his shoulders so he could reach it.

Once Howard grabbed the tusk, he allegedly attempted to hang from it, causing the fossil to shatter and fall to the floor, breaking into multiple pieces.

A museum employee monitoring surveillance cameras reportedly watched the entire incident unfold. Court records say the employee then tried to contact the men, who allegedly ran outside before being located and brought back in. Security was subsequently notified.

The Damage

Investigators said the tusk weighed approximately 200 pounds and was valued at about $1,000 per pound, putting its estimated worth at around $200,000.