LAS VEGAS (AP) — The mysterious monolith appears to be of extraterrestrial origin, protruding from the rocks in a remote mountain range near Las Vegas. Its shiny, reflective surface blends in with the vast desert landscape surrounding the peak where it is situated. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now investigating the origins and current status of the object after being made aware of it through a social media post.
Las Vegas police announced on the social platform X that their search and rescue unit discovered the otherworldly structure over the weekend near Gass Peak, within the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. This area is home to bighorn sheep and desert tortoises, with Gass Peak reaching a height of 6,937 feet (2,114 meters) in the northern region of Las Vegas.
The police department acknowledged encountering unusual sights during hiking expeditions, such as individuals unprepared for weather conditions or lacking sufficient water supplies. However, they deemed this discovery truly remarkable, as indicated by the photos accompanying their post showing the monolith against the backdrop of a vibrant blue sky and distant views of the Las Vegas valley, reminiscent of the object in “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Further information regarding the discovery has yet to be provided by the police department or the search and rescue unit, marking the latest puzzling occurrence concerning shiny columns appearing worldwide since 2020.
Similar monoliths have been reported in Utah, Romania, central California, and downtown Las Vegas, all vanishing shortly after their appearance. The original structure in Utah, standing at approximately 12 feet (3.6 meters), garnered significant attention during the pandemic and was eventually removed by local athletes concerned about environmental damage caused by curious visitors.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expressed concerns about potential harm to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, home to bighorn sheep and rare plant species, from visitors seeking out the monolith. Both the Utah and Nevada monoliths were installed illegally on federal land.
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