A T. rex found in South Dakota could smash auction records - and possibly disappear forever
A rare T. rex skeleton named 'Gus' is set for auction at Sotheby's, potentially breaking price records. The sale has sparked debate among paleontologists regarding the ethics of private ownership of significant scientific fossils.
Why it matters
The commercialization of fossils raises concerns about the loss of scientific data when important specimens are sold to private collectors rather than museums.
Before he became the namesake of one of the largest predators that ever lived - or made it into the footnotes of an auction catalogue - the late Gary "Gus" Licking, a cattle rancher in South Dakota, had always suspected his land was hiding something big.
The article presents both the commercial excitement of the auction and the scientific concerns regarding fossil preservation.
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