The award ceremony and exhibition for the winning entries of the 6th China animal specimen competition opens in Shanghai, on Dec 20, 2025. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The exhibition for the winning entries of the 6th China animal specimen competition opened in Shanghai on Saturday.
As a premier event in China's specimen-making field, the competition attracted 738 entries from across the country for the first time, highlighting its growing prominence. Following a three-day closed-door evaluation period starting on Wednesday, selected works are now on display to the public free of charge at the China-Israel (Shanghai) Innovation Park in Putuo district until March 22, 2026.
The event has reached new heights in both scale and quality, drawing over 800 participants from museums, universities, research institutes, and primary and secondary schools nationwide.
Focusing on scientific accuracy, the competition requires specimens to accurately represent the biological characteristics of animals in form and anatomical structure, with precise species identification. In addition, it evaluates craftsmanship, artistic expression, and collection value. A jury of 19 leading experts from scientific research, museums, and fine arts evaluated entries across 10 categories, including large mammals, fish, amphibians and reptiles, and creative simulations.
The award ceremony and exhibition for the winning entries of the 6th China animal specimen competition opens in Shanghai, on Dec 20, 2025. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"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."
The award ceremony and exhibition for the winning entries of the 6th China animal specimen competition opens in Shanghai, on Dec 20, 2025. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Zhang Yunfei, director of the collection conservation and research center of Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, highlighted that specimens are the foundation of museums. "With specimens, we can conduct exhibitions, education and research," he said.
He noted that the competition has established a youth track to promote natural and scientific education among young people, stating, "Specimens are an excellent platform. Children need to understand the behaviors, ecology, and living habits of the animals corresponding to the specimens, as well as their living environment." Zhang added that preserving a specimen means preserving a natural resource.
The award ceremony and exhibition for the winning entries of the 6th China animal specimen competition opens in Shanghai, on Dec 20, 2025. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The award ceremony and exhibition for the winning entries of the 6th China animal specimen competition opens in Shanghai, on Dec 20, 2025. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The award ceremony and exhibition for the winning entries of the 6th China animal specimen competition opens in Shanghai, on Dec 20, 2025. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
