A T. rex found in South Dakota could smash auction records - and possibly disappear forever

Key Points:

• A nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton named Gus, discovered on private land in South Dakota's Hell Creek Formation, is set to be auctioned at Sotheby’s and could become the world’s most expensive fossil, with estimates up to $30 million.
• Gus is about 61% complete by bone count and includes rare elements like a nearly complete skull and both feet; however, no formal scientific study has been published due to its private ownership, which limits access for researchers.
• The sale highlights ongoing tensions between private fossil ownership and scientific stewardship, as many paleontologists argue that fossils in private hands often become inaccessible for formal study and public viewing.
• Experts suggest that fossils of significant scientific value should be curated in public institutions to ensure ongoing research and public access, warning that high auction prices place such specimens out of reach for museums.
• Some paleontologists acknowledge the role of commercial excavations in recovering fossils that might otherwise be lost, but stress that true scientific value is realized only when specimens are publicly accessible and available for repeatable study.