State employees were in a helicopter over a remote part of Utah helping wildlife resource officers count bighorn sheep, but what they discovered was definitely not an animal, and some people think it might not even be from this world. They spotted a mysterious monolith that measures about ten to 12 feet high, seemingly planted in the ground. The object was either made from metal or covered in a reflective surface so that, along with it's straight edges, it definitely does not fit in to the red rocks around it.
The Department of Public Safety shared images of both the monolith and some bighorn sheep.
Bret Hutchings, who was piloting the helicopter, told a local news station, "That's been about the strangest thing that I've come across out there in all my years of flying."
Hutchings explained what happened, saying, "One of the biologists is the one who spotted it and we just happened to fly directly over the top of it. 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!'"
The crew landed the helicopter and took a closer look at the monolith.
Don't go thinking that aliens placed the object in the middle of nowhere. The pilot said that it looks manmade and that it was likely planted in the ground, as opposed to getting lodged in after falling from sky. He stated, "I'm assuming it's some new wave artist or something or, you know, somebody that was a big 2001: A Space Odyssey fan."
Hutchings might be on to something as the piece looks strikingly similar to work by artist John McCracken, who lived in New Mexico as well as New York until his death in 2011. David Zwirner, who runs McCracken's gallery, has not yet commented.
Utah officials are stumped as to what the monolith is and who put it there, but in a press release, noted that it "is illegal to install structures or art without authorization on federally managed public lands, no matter what planet you're from."
They are looking into if it needs further investigation but if you want to see it, you are out of luck. They are not going to reveal where it is since it is "in a very remote area and if individuals were to attempt to visit the area, there is a significant possibility they may become stranded and require rescue." However, you can check out more photos and videos from the monolith here.
Photo: Utah Department of Public Safety