Zipp Storm: Huh? This hole is too wide for a gopher.

(Inspector Mare)
Hmmmm, now that you mention it, most gopher holes are often much smaller in diameter and does not have an upside-down cone contour. I should know! My great-grand uncle used to work at a malt farm and he'd seen holes like this all the time!

Zipp Storm: But it IS just wide enough to hide a LANTERN!

(The Professor)
AHA!! Of COURSE!! Somepony must've tried to bury it, in the hopes of retrieving it back later at night, when everypony is asleep!