Posted on 04/17/2019 11:50:47 AM PDT by centurion316
You wouldn’t normally associate the world of dutiful natural history preservation with sporadic bursts of all-caps letters and exclamation points – or at least not until last month, when the fossil of an infant Tyrannosaurus rex, potentially the only in existence, went on sale on eBay for the “buy it now” price of $2.95m.
The listing reads: “Most Likely the Only BABY T-Rex in the World! It has a 15 FOOT long Body and a 21” SKULL with Serrated Teeth! This Rex was very a very dangerous meat eater. It’s a RARE opportunity indeed to ever see a baby REX…”
The skeleton, estimated to be 68m years old, was first discovered in 2013, on private land in Montana. It became the property of the man who discovered it, Alan Detrich, a professional fossil hunter. In 2017, Detrich lent the fossil to the University of Kansas Natural History Museum, where it was still on display when Detrich made the surprise decision to put it up for auction.
Analysis of the skeleton may help to settle a major debate in palaeontology over whether small Tyrannosaurs from North America are infants or should have the separate classification of Nanotyrannus. Such research may now be impossible with the fossil likely to end up in a private collection.
The Society of Vertebrate Palaeontology (SVP) has criticised both Detrich, who will be taking an important specimen outside the reach of scientific study, and the university, for helping to inflate the price of the fossil, acting as a shop window for professional buyers.
In an open letter published last week, SVP’s members said that it was regrettable that the fossil was exhibited before it could be studied. “That action, which brought the fossil to the attention of hundreds or thousands of visitors, potentially enhanced its value,” ...
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
“He has been known to sell some of his fossil finds, apparently a major sin in that world.”
Being mad at people making money is just stupid.
I suppose they think they have the exclusive right to these kinds of things.
FWIW, I have a small T-rex skull, almost complete, sitting on my desk at this second. I traded about two years’ worth of flight lessons for it to a rancher and helped get it out of the dirt/shale with my own hands. Trying to figure out if its legal to take back to Israel.
A great many scientists worldwide seem to feel they are the only ones who should be allowed to handle anything old and/or unique.
“Better get that neutered before it turns mean.”
I would not want a T-Rex to know I was the one who neutered him.
they can always chip in and buy it.
If this one brings in top dollar, there will be fresh discoveries out China FOR SALE, for less.
Under this ad there is one that looks very similar and complete with it's own egg for $6.99 + shipping
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