A rare and nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) skeleton, known as “Gus,” is set to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s annual auction in New York, where experts estimate it could sell for more than $30 million. If the estimate is met, Gus will rank among the most expensive dinosaur fossils ever sold. The current record was set in 1997 when the famous T. rex skeleton “Sue” was purchased by Chicago’s Field Museum for $8 million. According to Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s Global Head of Natural History, discovering dinosaur fossils is an extremely difficult and dangerous task. She said fossil hunters often spend months camping in remote wilderness, facing venomous snakes, wild animals and harsh weather conditions, while excavation work can sometimes prove life-threatening. Gus was discovered in the Badlands of South Dakota, where it had remained buried for approximately 67 million years. The fossil was named after the late landowner, cattle rancher Gary “Gus” Licking. Experts say excavating a fossil is only the first step, while preserving and reconstructing it is a far greater challenge. Independent palaeontologist Dr Fion Smithwick explained that fossils become highly fragile once removed from the ground, requiring years of careful conservation and restoration. The excavation team spent three years recovering the fossil during limited excavation seasons, followed by another three years cleaning, documenting and restoring the specimen. The upcoming auction has also reignited debate within the scientific community over whether such priceless fossils should remain in museums and research institutions or be allowed to enter private collections through commercial sales.
Rare T. rex skeleton ‘Gus’ expected to fetch over $30 million at Sotheby’s auction
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