In 2013, Alan Detrich discovered a skeleton of a juvenile Tyrannosaurus Rex that roamed what is now Montana about 68 million years ago. The 15-foot-long specimen became the private property of the professional fossil hunter who discovered it. Later in 2017, the full skeleton was lent to the University of Kansan Natural History Museum. There, it remained on display until last month when Detrich decided to put it up for auction and grant it to the highest bidder.
His eBay listing described the baby T-Rex as "Most likely the only one (Baby T-Rex) in the world." Aside for the length of 15 feet, Detrich also specified in his ad that the skull measured 21" and had serrated teeth.
Criticism from the Society of Vertebrate Palaeontology (SVP) went out to both Detrich and the university. In a statement by SVP, Detrich has taken an important specimen farther from the reach of scientific study. SVP later pointed out that the university has played the role of being a shop window for professional buyers which helped inflate the price of the baby T-Rex.
Scientists pointed out that there are potential researches and studies that could be done on the fossil that would effectively settle one of the major debates in paleontology. Scientists are currently conflicted whether the small Tyrannosaurs from North America are juveniles or a separate classification of Nanotyrannus. If the fossil would end up on a private collection, such studies would be impossible.
SVP explained that seldom would museums have the budget to curate such an expensive specimen. For the museum to carry such collection called a lot of attention which effectively drove the price up. SVP also expressed much regret over studies that could have been done before the skeleton was ever exhibited.
Later, the museum's director, Leonard Krishtalka released a statement explaining that the University of Kansas were unaware of the professional fossil hunter's plans to sell the fossil. The small T-Rex has since been taken down and returned to its owner. Any association with the museum was also removed from the eBay listing.
Detrich's listing is still up and running as no one has still put down an offer to claim the valued fossil. However, the listing is currently gaining 31 views per hour and is now at 903 watchers. While Detrich allows for worldwide shipping, the fossil hunter does not accept returns which means, that the purchase is understood to be a final and done deal.
The juvenile T-Rex is also known as "Jane."
