Police are investigating the apparent vandalism of the famed Elephant and Obelisk statue designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the Piazza della Minerva in Rome.

Rome cultural authorities said that vandals overnight broke off the tip of the elephant's left tusk, which authorities recovered at the foot of the statue close to the Pantheon.

Police were checking video in the area to identify the vandals.

The statue of an elephant carrying an obelisk on its back was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII.

It was placed in the square in front of the Santa Maria Sopra Minevra Basilica in 1667.

The broken tusk tip was recovered at the foot of the statue. Photo: AP/Gregorio BorgiaThe broken tusk tip was recovered at the foot of the statue. Photo: AP/Gregorio Borgia

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