While it remains debatable whether animals really feel what we call love, hate and happiness, the following might be yet more proof that humans are not the only creatures capable of emotions.
A friend in need
While some cats might spot a helpless baby chicken and think “lunch", an orange kitten in Russia saw a friend in need of a helping paw. Baby chickens are particularly vulnerable to attacks from rats and other vermin (害兽), but this little chick stayed safe thanks to its energetic feline (猫科的) bodyguard.
We’ve got each other
On an island off the coast of China, a little macaque (猕猴) was seen resting its head on a dove. Having got lost, the macaque was found and taken in by the staff of an animal protection center. It soon became friends with the white dove, which had also been adopted by center staff. For two months they ate together and slept together.
Fast friends
When baby elephant Themba’s mother died, the veterinary (兽医的) team at Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa hoped another elephant would adopt the orphan, but none would feed him. The team took the baby elephant in, giving him constant care and attention, but Themba was too distressed to eat. Fearing he would starve to death, the team introduced him to a sheep called Albert, who they hoped could provide companionship for Themba. Despite some initial tension, the two quickly became inseparable and Themba finally started eating.
A strong bond
Koko the gorilla, one of the most studied primates (灵长类动物) in history, communicated in American Sign Language. Koko asked for a cat in 1984. She chose a grey kitten and called it All Ball. Koko took care of All Ball as if it were a baby gorilla, and would appear distressed when parted from it. When All Ball was hit and killed by a car, Koko was seen mourning (哀悼) the cat's death.
【小题1】Why did Themba remained hungry in the beginning? Because________.| A．the staff members were unable to feed him. | B．he didn’t get on well with his new friend. |
| C．he lost his parent and was too sad. | D．he got lost from his mother. |
| A．Koko formed a close relationship with All Ball |
| B．All Ball suffered attacks from other vermin. |
| C．All Ball got parted from its mother gorilla. |
| D．Koko liked communicating with All Ball in sign language. |
| A．Animals are not capable of emotions. |
| B．Friendship actually knows no boundaries. |
| C．kittens are most likely to make friends with other animals. |
| D．None of the friends in the passage liked each other at first. |
