Largest T. rex fossil discovered in South Dakota set for record auction, raising concerns over scientific access

A nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton recovered from a South Dakota ranch is scheduled for auction at Sotheby’s in New York, where estimates suggest a price of up to $30 million. The 38-foot specimen, dubbed “Gus” in honor of the late landowner Gary Licking, is about 61 % complete by bone count and includes rare elements such as a well-preserved wishbone, pelvis and both feet.

The fossil was uncovered in 2021 by a commercial paleontology team led by Thomas Heitkamp of Theropoda Expeditions after a year of surveying the Licking property, which lies within the Hell Creek Formation—an area that has yielded many of the world’s most famous T. rex finds. The excavation, which spanned three field seasons, involved hand-digging roughly 7,000 square feet and extensive laboratory work to clean, identify and mount the bones.

While the auction could set a new record for a dinosaur fossil, scientists warn that private ownership may limit research. “If this specimen goes to a private individual, it may or may not ever be seen by the public again,” said Stuart Sumida, professor of biology at California State University, San Bernardino and president of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, an organization that opposes fossil sales. Sumida added that privately held fossils are generally ineligible for formal scientific study because reputable journals require specimens to be in public collections.

Sotheby’s highlighted the skeleton’s scientific interest, noting bite marks and healed fractures that could provide insight into the animal’s life history. However, no peer-reviewed research has been published on Gus, and the auction’s outcome will determine whether the fossil remains accessible to researchers.

Industry representatives argue that commercial excavations fund discoveries that might otherwise be lost. “Nobody can dispute the fact that if these fossils are not excavated, they are lost,” said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s vice-chairman and head of science and natural history. She noted that the sale includes full rights to the specimen, allowing the buyer to produce casts without using material from other T. rex fossils such as the well-known “Stan.”

The debate reflects a broader tension between private collectors and the scientific community over stewardship of non-renewable paleontological resources. Critics contend that even when privately owned fossils are loaned to museums for display, the mounting process can render them unsuitable for detailed study. As the auction approaches, the fate of Gus will illustrate how the market for high-value fossils intersects with the need to preserve access to Earth’s ancient record for future research.