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Mystery bidder buys T. rex for a record $50 million : NPR
NPR • • technology
Key Points:
- A Tyrannosaurus rex fossil named "Gus," approximately 67 million years old and about 61% complete, sold for a record $50.1 million at Sotheby's auction, becoming the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever auctioned.
- "Gus" was discovered in 2021 on a South Dakota ranch and features an exceptionally preserved skull, feet, and rare bones like a wishbone; the fossil was named after the late property owner Gary Licking.
- The auction saw intense bidding from seven participants, with the winning anonymous bidder exceeding the pre-sale estimate of $20 to $30 million in a 10-minute live and online contest.
- Scientists and the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology urge that "Gus" be donated to a public museum to ensure its preservation, study, and accessibility for future generations, highlighting the educational value of such fossils.
- The Tyrannosaurus rex, known as the "King of the Tyrant Lizards," was a top predator during the late Cretaceous period and remains a cultural icon featured in media such as "Jurassic Park" and children's programming.
