"In recent years, the number of young specimen-makers has increased, and the scientific and technical quality of specimens has improved, incorporating advanced foreign technologies and concepts," said Zhao Xinru, chairman of the competition.

He emphasized that the competition primarily accepts specimens reflecting animals' natural living conditions and true forms to promote academic research and science popularization, while also including engaging works of pets to encourage more people to care about life, animals, and ecological development.

Sha Yubo, a seventh grader from Tianjin, submitted a specimen of a crucian carp. "That crucian carp was rescued from a vegetable market but unfortunately died during acclimation, so I made it into a specimen," he said. Sha mentioned that his knowledge of specimen-making comes from his family: "Both my parents make specimens. I've learned from them through daily exposure, and they sometimes teach me techniques like how to remove the nails that fix fish fins."