A triceratops fossil unearthed in North Dakota four years ago is on the auction block in Paris, state paleontologist John Hoganson says.

Hoganson only learned of the three-horned dinosaur fossil, believed to be about 65 million years old, last week. He said it was found on private land and was sold for an undisclosed amount to a German collector, who then put it up for sale.

While it may be legal, Hoganson said, he believes it is wrong.

"Not only are we losing the fossils themselves from North Dakota, but we're also losing the scientific information," he said. He believes such fossils should be in museums and other public areas.

Hoganson said he knows of another triceratops found on private land in Bowman County that was sold to a collector in Japan.

- Associated Press