Fewer dinosaur fossils, especially those of the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, are available for researchers due to their high demand among wealthy collectors. A recent study reveals that private individuals now own more important T. rex specimens than museums do, raising concerns about the future of paleontological research.
High-profile auctions feature T. rex skeletons fetching tens of millions of dollars. This has created a booming market where fossils can disappear from public view, seriously impacting scientific understanding. Thomas Carr, a paleontologist and director of the Carthage Institute of Paleontology, pointed out that access to these fossils is critical for studying dinosaur development. He noted that young T. rex specimens, which are scarce in the fossil record, are particularly at risk. “The loss of these young specimens is a big blow to our understanding of T. rex biology,” he explained.
Carr’s research, published in Palaeontologia Electronica, indicates there are 61 T. rex specimens in public institutions and 71 in private hands, including 14 young individuals. This data might even underestimate the true situation, given how private dealings are often shrouded in secrecy.
What’s even more alarming is that museums, which should be centers for discovery, are obtaining fewer fossils. Only 11% of commercially sourced T. rex fossils make their way to public trusts, while commercial operations are discovering double the number found by museums. For context, the most expensive dinosaur ever sold was a stegosaurus, which went for a staggering $44.6 million in 2024 and is currently exhibited at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
The academic community is responding to these findings. Thomas Holtz, a paleontologist at the University of Maryland, shared his disappointment about the lack of access to key specimens. He emphasized the importance of studying juvenile fossils to understand the growth of T. rex better.
Conversely, some experts like David Hone from Queen Mary University view the situation with caution. He suggests that while it’s essential to have more fossils in public collections, there are numerous other pressing issues in paleontology, like the illegal trafficking of fossils from countries like Brazil and Mongolia.
Overall, the private fossil trade is reshaping the landscape of paleontological research. As fossils become more desirable luxury items, the gap between public knowledge and private collection grows, potentially stifling advancements in our understanding of these ancient giants.
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