Fossil Sale Unacceptable: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology

Members of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology are troubled about the sale of dinosaur specimens at auction in New York on Sunday, May 20.  Renowned dinosaur paleontologist Dr. Philip Currie, President of the SVP commented, “The illegal collection and sale of fossils like “Tyrannosaurus” bataar is no better than poaching.”

The ethics by-law of the Society states, "The barter, sale, or purchase of scientifically significant vertebrate fossils is not condoned, unless it brings them into or keeps them within a public trust." The fossils in question, a skeleton of “Tyrannosaurus” (Tarbosaurus) bataar, a skull of Saichania, and several other isolated items, were almost certainly illegally collected and exported from Mongolia, their likely country of origin.  “Though these fossils could potentially be found in adjacent regions of the Gobi Desert of China, no specimens of this quality have been discovered there; and even if these fossils were originally found in China, their collection and export is still illegal,” Currie commented.

The President of Mongolia, His Excellency Elbegdorj Tsakhia initiated legal proceedings to stop the sale of his country’s heritage, although the sale went forward. The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology was instrumental in passing legislation that protects fossils found on public lands in the United States and strongly supports his efforts, and those of others who have sought to halt the sale. “We hope that through the vigilance and expertise of members of the SVP and others, the illegal collection and sale of fossils will not occur again,” stated Currie.

Provided by Society of Vertebrate Paleontology