Can animals be artistic? Some experts think so. Painting and music are part of efforts to keep animals happy at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Zookeepers there believe that animals need enrichment just like people do.
A sloth bear (长毛熊) called Francois is one of the National Zoo’s artists. He began his artistic career two years ago. Francois has a very unusual way to paint. He uses his breath to paint. His zookeeper, Stacey Tabellario, says that although the technique may look strange, it is actually a very natural behavior for sloth bears. They have got big lungs and they can breathe out a huge amount of air. The zookeepers fill one of those tubes fill of paint and ask them to breathe through it And they blow all of the paint onto the canvas (画布), making the really cool paintings.
Animal artists come in all shapes and sizes at the Zoo. They use many kinds of techniques to create their works of art. Apes use paintbrushes. Many use their paws or claws — much like a human painter would use his or her hands.
Stacey Tabellario says Francois seems to enjoy expressing himself through his art. “When I set up the materials for painting activity, he comes and sits next to them and waits until we are ready to start painting. He does that every time. I also see where his eyes go. He dose see the paints come out of the tube and land on the canvas.” But not every animal wants to paint.
Music is another part of the arts enrichment program. Physically and mentally interesting (有趣味的) activities are an important part of the daily care of the animals. Trainers have a set of tools, from tablet computers to small toys.
Kenton Kerns says the program helps the animals and the zookeepers in many ways. Every interaction between keepers and their animals creates some sort of connections. The one-of-a-kind works of art created by the animals are popular with zoo visitors. Many are sold at the zoo’s fundraising events.
【小题1】What is the best title for the text?| A．Art Works in the Zoo |
| B．Zoo Animals Show Artistic Side |
| C．Animals can Earn Money |
| D．Animals Enjoy Painting |
| A．Francois is a two-year-old artist at the National Zoo. |
| B．Francois’ way to paint is unusual for sloth bears. |
| C．Francois’ big lungs determine the way it paints. |
| D．Francois paints with the help of his feet. |
| A．is fond of painting |
| B．likes to stay with other animals |
| C．often shows the painting to the audience |
| D．wants to get attention from the zookeepers by painting |
| A．It enriches the keepers’ life. |
| B．It makes the animals clever. |
| C．It intends to collect money for the zoo. |
| D．It deepens the relationship between animals and keepers. |
