Kenneth Griffin, billionaire collector of rare fossils, has donated his prized Stegosaurus fossil, nicknamed Apex, to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York for a four-year loan. The exhibit is set to open this Sunday and will be the first public display of the dinosaur.
The sale of the fossil at Sotheby’s this summer broke records, raising concerns among paleontologists about private collectors outbidding museums. However, Griffin has assured that the fossil will be made available for research and scientific access, with funding included in the loan.
AMNH president Sean M Decatur highlights the stegosaurus’s public appeal and scientific value, saying it is a unique opportunity to study this dinosaur up close. The nearly complete fossil, discovered in 2022, measures over 20 feet long and will be studied by AMNH curator Roger Benson to learn about growth and biology.
The museum plans to share 3D scans of the bones with researchers and create a replica cast for display after the loan ends. Benson emphasizes the importance of data sharing, stating that the museum has a “stated commitment” from Griffin for continued researcher access to the specimen.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/worlds-most-expensive-dinosaur-fossil-arrives-in-new-york-with-a-staggering-price-tag/articleshow/116027120.cms