A small funny observation - for our viewing pleasure Mamlambo is putting the rock down, setting up the camera, picking the rock up, walking past the camera, putting the rock down, packing up the camera, picking the rock up again. All to fit our expectations of what it looks like to carry a very heavy rock. 🤣🤣The dedication is appreciated! 😁

Its awesome that you were able to save it with all that help. I hope whoever took the rest of the bones returns them to the museum too.

You must have been gutted to see the senseless damage that had been done to the concretion. Good one you for getting everyone involved and saving it from further damage. Can hardly wait to see what you find inside!

Im sure you get the same frustrating feeling when you see people destroying fossils as I get when I see people looting archaeological sites. Though I know some have more malicious intents, looting for profit, but I have to keep telling myself that the vast majority are well intentioned people who don't know the damage they are doing. It's up to us professionals to educate, educate, educate. I've found most people want to do the right thing, they just never were exposed to what they could be doing to be better. Take photos, map locations, let professionals know about what you find. I know every country has its own rules, but I'm the states, things in private land are owned by the land owner, which includes archaeological sites. If someone does collect, at least let someone know what you have do if anyone wants to research the collection they can. Don't dig, and have a plan in place for your collection when you die. I know to many stories of archaeological information lost because someone died and their family threw out the materials. Keep doing what you are doing, you are helping to preserve your history Everytime you interact with the public.

I love how you channeled your frustration for the destruction of the concretion into renting heavy equipment! Cheers!

it makes me so angry that someone damaged such a wonderful concretion.. truly despicable

I'm impressed you carried that rock all the way back to your car, that was no easy task. As we say in Ireland. ''You're a horse of a man ''

Aww, that's unfortunate that someone inexperienced with fossils went out there and damaged it like that. Can't wait to see more progress with this!

It feels like a huge project - time to hire some assistants for prepping!

With tiktokers going around with sledge hammers hitting rocks, I’m not surprised someone tried to “prep” it on site like that

Hey bro i remember when you were telling us about this piece on the podcast. I’m so happy you figured out how to get it out of the river bed. It’s a shame when people are so destructive when trying to remove fossil improperly. Can’t wait do you to reveal what it is.

Frankly you impress me every time I watch one of your videos , I am delighted things are going well.

Thanks so much to my patrons for funding this project! You can join by going to:

PERFECT walk-on music for that huge flatbed truck !

It's a shame all fossil hunters are not like you. They must have known they do not have your skills, and the weight/location was beyond them, so they should have contacted the museum like yourself instead of damaging something so precious.

This is so freaking cool, Morne! I’m so used to seeing the huge blocks left behind, that’s so amazing you were able to get these ones to your workshop!

You're a national treasure! Love to see how much someone loves their local natural history and shares their enthousiasm with the world.

I truly love how far you've come. What an undertaking the events of this video were! Looking forward to seeing this tonner prepped. Cheers!

Woot-woot! What an adventure. Good job saving that bone block--I cannot fathom why someone would damage it like that. At any rate, looking forward to the big reveal! Thanks!

Awesome work, Morne! Seeing as how little I understand is known of New Zealand's Cretaceous marine fauna, this is likely to be a significant find! So you've really contributed to the preservation of New Zealand's national natural heritage organising this...! Bravo! 👏💫