local
Rare T. rex fossil sells for record $50.1 million at auction
By Jacopo Prisco at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 14, 2026
· 3 min read
A Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton from South Dakota has become the worlds most expensive fossil sold at auction, after fetching a record $50,130,000 at Sothebys in New York Tuesday.The skeleton, which is about 67 million years old, is nicknamed Gus after the late Gary Gus Licking, a cattle rancher fro...
Key takeaway The skeleton, which is about 67 million years old, is nicknamed Gus after the late Gary Gus Licking, a cattle rancher from Harding County, South Dakota, who owned the land where the specimen was found.
Why this matters in The Waco
The record-breaking sale of the T. rex fossil, Gus, has significant implications for the scientific community in Waco . As paleontologists note, once a fossil ends up in private hands, it is often lost to science, making it difficult for researchers to study and publish findings on the specimen. This raises concerns about the potential loss of valuable scientific knowledge, particularly in a region like McLennan County, where educational institutions and research centers may have been interested in studying the fossil. The fact that Gus has many unique features, including a well-preserved skull and rare components like the wishbone and feet, makes its potential loss to science even more significant. As Waco's own scientific community continues to grow and develop, the sale of fossils like Gus to private collectors may limit opportunities for local researchers to engage with and learn from these valuable specimens.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton from South Dakota has become the worlds most expensive fossil sold at auction, after fetching a record $50,130,000 at Sothebys in New York Tuesday.The skeleton, which is about 67 million years old, is nicknamed Gus after the late Gary Gus Licking, a cattle rancher fro...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jacopo Prisco at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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