A chance encounter led to one of the largest T. rexes ever found. Now, it could be ‘lost to science’
The fossil of a Tyrannosaurus rex, named Gus, is set to be auctioned at Sotheby's in New York City, potentially becoming the world's most expensive fossil. Discovered on the Licking ranch in South Dakota, Gus is one of the largest T. rexes ever found, measuring 38 feet in length and 12.5 feet tall, with a 54-inch skull. The skeleton is estimated to be about 61% complete by bone count and 75-80% complete by mass, making it one of the most complete T. rex fossils ever found.
The discovery of Gus is a result of a collaboration between Gary "Gus" Licking, a cattle rancher, and Thomas Heitkamp, a commercial paleontologist. Licking had always suspected his land was hiding something big, and Heitkamp's team found Gus in 2021. Despite Licking's passing before the excavation was complete, his legacy lives on through Gus.
However, the auction of Gus has sparked controversy. The sale into private hands raises concerns about the accessibility and stewardship of paleontological discoveries. Experts argue that privately held fossils may never be seen by the public again and may not be subjected to proper scientific study, as most researchers refuse to formally study privately held specimens.
The debate revolves around the balance between ownership and stewardship. While private landowners can choose to involve museums in the excavation process, the SVP (Society of Vertebrate Paleontology) emphasizes the importance of public institutions in ensuring access for future researchers and the public. The SVP's stance is that scientifically significant fossils should be permanently curated in institutions that guarantee access.
The auction of Gus highlights the tension between commercial interests and scientific preservation. The high price tag of $30 million or more makes it unaffordable for public institutions, and the potential disappearance of T. rex skeletons from the public realm is a concern. The SVP's letter to the American Museum of Natural History regarding the loan of Apex the Stegosaurus underscores the issue of studying fossils once they are mounted and displayed.
The discussion extends beyond ownership to the concept of stewardship, where the focus is on the responsibility to protect and preserve paleontological discoveries for future generations. The SVP's proposal of a scientific equivalent of the Giving Pledge is one possible solution to ensure the proper curation and accessibility of fossils.
