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Metal monolith found by helicopter crew in Utah desert Metal monolith found by helicopter crew in Utah desert
(about 1 hour later)
The crew found the unusual object while conducting a count of big horn sheep in the areaThe crew found the unusual object while conducting a count of big horn sheep in the area
A strange metal monolith has been discovered in the Utah desert by a helicopter crew, leaving local authorities baffled.A strange metal monolith has been discovered in the Utah desert by a helicopter crew, leaving local authorities baffled.
Wildlife officials spotted the "unusual" object while counting sheep during a flyover in a remote south-eastern area of the US state.Wildlife officials spotted the "unusual" object while counting sheep during a flyover in a remote south-eastern area of the US state.
They said the structure had been planted in the ground between red rock.They said the structure had been planted in the ground between red rock.
There was no indication who installed the monolith, which was about 10 to 12ft (3.6m) tall.There was no indication who installed the monolith, which was about 10 to 12ft (3.6m) tall.
In an interview with local news channel KSLTV, the helicopter pilot, Bret Hutchings, said: "That's been about the strangest thing that I've come across out there in all my years of flying."In an interview with local news channel KSLTV, the helicopter pilot, Bret Hutchings, said: "That's been about the strangest thing that I've come across out there in all my years of flying."
There was speculation that the monolith was installed by an artistThere was speculation that the monolith was installed by an artist
Mr Hutchings said a biologist counting big horn sheep in the helicopter was the first one to spot the structure from the sky.Mr Hutchings said a biologist counting big horn sheep in the helicopter was the first one to spot the structure from the sky.
"He was like, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, turn around, turn around!'. And I was like, 'What?'. And he's like, 'There's this thing back there - we've got to go look at it!'," Mr Hutchings said."He was like, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, turn around, turn around!'. And I was like, 'What?'. And he's like, 'There's this thing back there - we've got to go look at it!'," Mr Hutchings said.
Local authorities appealed for information about the monolith on social mediaLocal authorities appealed for information about the monolith on social media
Mr Hutchings speculated that the monolith may have been installed by "the some new wave artist", or a fan of 2001: A Space Odyssey, the 1968 film directed by Stanley Kubrick.Mr Hutchings speculated that the monolith may have been installed by "the some new wave artist", or a fan of 2001: A Space Odyssey, the 1968 film directed by Stanley Kubrick.
Imposing black monoliths created by an unseen alien species appear in the movie, based on the writing of novelist Arthur C Clarke.Imposing black monoliths created by an unseen alien species appear in the movie, based on the writing of novelist Arthur C Clarke.
Big horn sheep are native to southern parts of UtahBig horn sheep are native to southern parts of Utah
The Utah Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau released images of the rectangular-shaped metal object in a news release last week.The Utah Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau released images of the rectangular-shaped metal object in a news release last week.
It said authorities would determine if "they need to investigate further".It said authorities would determine if "they need to investigate further".
"It is illegal to install structures or art without authorisation on federally managed public lands, no matter what planet you're from," the department said."It is illegal to install structures or art without authorisation on federally managed public lands, no matter what planet you're from," the department said.
The department has not disclosed the exact location of the monolith, fearing explorers may try to seek it out and "become stranded". The big horn sheep wildlife officials were counting are native to many parts of southern Utah, where the terrain is rugged.The department has not disclosed the exact location of the monolith, fearing explorers may try to seek it out and "become stranded". The big horn sheep wildlife officials were counting are native to many parts of southern Utah, where the terrain is rugged.
As yet, no one has claimed responsibility for installing the structure.As yet, no one has claimed responsibility for installing the structure.
Looking for answers, Utah's highway patrol turned to social media, writing in a post on Instagram: "Inquiring minds want to know, what the heck is it? Anyone?"Looking for answers, Utah's highway patrol turned to social media, writing in a post on Instagram: "Inquiring minds want to know, what the heck is it? Anyone?"
Most observers presumed it was an installation left by a sculptor, with some saying it resembled the work of late minimalist artist John McCracken.Most observers presumed it was an installation left by a sculptor, with some saying it resembled the work of late minimalist artist John McCracken.
A mysterious object resembling the plank sculptures of the late artist John McCracken has been discovered in a remote area of the Utah desert https://t.co/E1ephci4G8A mysterious object resembling the plank sculptures of the late artist John McCracken has been discovered in a remote area of the Utah desert https://t.co/E1ephci4G8
But some offered otherworldly theories, apparently in jest.But some offered otherworldly theories, apparently in jest.
We could just leave the Utah monolith alone and mind our business.And not summon an alien or demon or whatever during the one of the worst years in our lifetimes. https://t.co/vEecYsxjR0We could just leave the Utah monolith alone and mind our business.And not summon an alien or demon or whatever during the one of the worst years in our lifetimes. https://t.co/vEecYsxjR0
Thinking about aliens <3 #utahmonolith pic.twitter.com/pWjeOgtssqThinking about aliens <3 #utahmonolith pic.twitter.com/pWjeOgtssq
It's no mystery, conceptual art is illegally farmed in remote parts of Utah, from where it's then smuggled to places like London and New York https://t.co/ryscJ2Gqiu