Fossils fuel a passion for paleontology

Passion pursued

Wang studied pharmaceutical sciences at Peking University and has liked animals since he was a child.

"I used to do well in biological science competitions at school, but both my parents and I didn't want me to choose a related major such as paleontology. We thought that doing field work would be laborious," he said.

After graduating in 2014, Wang worked as a university administrator. However, after three years he resigned and turned his paleontology hobby into a job.

He said when choosing a career, a university major matters less than pursuing your interests.

"To attract more people to work and explore the field of fossils, we should encourage children to be educated. Let the public learn about prehistoric animals at an early age and help them actively explore their interests," Wang said.

However, Wang believes that fossils are not presented in a way that attracts the interest of children.

"Museums should adjust their ways of exhibiting, packaging and explaining fossils to be more interesting," he said, adding that better education of the public would help ensure protection of fossils.