Geological samples stolen - can you help us?
On Monday morning last week, a theft was discovered from one of the Natural History Museum’s exhibition displays located in Vilhelm Krag Hall at UiA, Campus Kristiansand.
The theft took place during the weekend, 21-23 April.
The stolen objects are from the mineral collection of the Natural History Museum at UiA and are part of the scientific collections. The monetary value of the minerals that were stolen is not great, but they have significant scientific and societal value. The objects are used for research, dissemination, teaching and to document conditions in nature. They are public property and are meant for the public good.
We want the objects to be returned undamaged to the museum. If you have any information about the incident, please contact us using one of the contacts below.
The Natural History Museum cannot afford to lose any more objects from its scientific collections, and regrets that the display cases may remain empty for some time until we find a more secure way to display our objects. This goes for all the exhibits in Vilhelm Krag Hall - the geological, zoological, botanical and pop-up display case.
The theft has been reported to the police. Information has been sent to collectors of minerals and rocks in the hope of getting the samples back if someone attempts to sell them.
Picture of the second mineral that was stolen. Coelestine crystal (blue) from Madagascar. Weighs 1.7 kg, approximately 16x11x7 cm³.
Contacts:
Tor Sigvald Johansen, geologist
Email: tor.sigvald.johansen@uia.no
Phone: 907 60 117
Raul Ramirez, museum director
Email: raul.ramirez@uia.no
Phone: 451 39 737