Entrepreneur John Hammond offers to fund Dr. Alan Grant’s paleontology project for three years if he and his associate, Dr. Ellie Sattler will inspect his new island theme park. Corporate backers, concerned about their investment, want a professional endorsement. Unsure of what Jurassic Park is, Alan and Ellie reluctantly agree. Hammond’s two grandchildren, a corporate lawyer, and mathematician and chaos expert, Dr. Ian Malcolm are also invited. Alan and Ellie are incredulous to find living cloned dinosaurs roaming the park, although Alan is alarmed that there are also velocoraptors, a vicious predator. Hammond sends the group on a guided tour of the park, but along the way the electric tour cars break down, stranding them next to the T. rex paddock. A tropical storm is fast approaching.
Answer: They are not paleontologists, just people interested in dinosaurs. It is common for museums and other scientific organizations to offer the general public an opportunity to participate in a real paleontology dig. For a fee, they become an exhibition team member for a period of time, learn about dinosaurs, help excavate fossils, and so on. This is likely how Dr. Grant (or his institution) supplements his research funding.
raywest ★