Owner Alan Detrich says he sees nothing wrong with auctioning off a piece of the Earth's history. This auction is open to the world. If we didn't go there and get him, he'd still be up there. Mr Detrich added that he does not mind if his T. rex becomes a corporate mascot or is sold to a private collector with no intention of displaying it publicly. The fossil head stands over a miniature model Chuck Schaff, at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University, said the fossil would be ideal for drawing crowds to a museum, but was probably too expensive for most.
Some specimens do get away from scientists, but that's life.
It's sad, though. The auction, which began on Monday, is due to close at 0100 GMT on 11 February 2000.