Forty-seven fossils originating from the Araripe basin have returned to Brazil after being illegally removed from the country. These fossils had ended up in Switzerland, Argentina, and Italy before being successfully repatriated through agreements facilitated by the Brazilian government. Notably, 45 of these fossils, primarily fish species such as Rhacolepis sp., Vinctifer sp., and Cladocyclus sp., arrived from the University of Zurich in Switzerland in late February, weighing about 150 kg, packed in eight boxes.

In addition to the large shipment, two more fossils were returned during a ceremony at the Palácio do Itamaraty in Brasília on February 25. One of these fossils is a freshwater crustacean (Martinsestheria codoensis) that had been in the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste in Argentina since 1993, while the other is a fish fossil (Vinctifer comptoni) that was seized in Italy in 2024 and dates back approximately 113 million years. The Italian government played a crucial role in identifying and returning the fossil that was being transported illegally.

This repatriation reflects Brazil's ongoing efforts to reclaim its natural heritage, particularly fossil resources that have been removed from its territory against the law. It highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing the illegal trafficking of cultural and scientific artifacts and reinforces Brazil's commitment to preserving its paleontological resources for future generations.