Welcome to the Zoo

Come and see the cute pandas from China. The clever monkeys are from America, the big lions are from Africa and the friendly elephants are from India. The tall giraffes are from Zambia and there are many beautiful birds are singing. Where are the kangaroos? They are sleeping there. Please be quiet. They are shy. I’m sure you will like them.

Keep the zoo clean!

Don’t give food to the animals!

A cloned black-footed ferret(雪貂), Elizabeth Ann, born on Dec.10, 2020, has become the first successful clone of an endangered animal in the US and has turned a new page in animal protection.

Black-footed ferrets are one of the most endangered animals in North America, with fewer than 500 in the wild. But in the early 1900s, they were widespread throughout the American West. Later, the ferrets disappeared with their primary food source, prairie dogs(土拨鼠) dying out.

Fortunately, thanks to the cloning technology, Elizabeth Ann came to the earth. She was cloned from Willa, a ferret who died in 1988. Willa’s genes(基因) were saved for years since the cloning technology was not perfect enough at that time. “The theory of genes showed the genetic value that Willa could bring to her babies.” Ryan Phelan, who was working in the project, told CNN. “But it was a promise to see this type of ferret pass on that has led to the successful birth of Elizabeth Ann. If Elizabeth Ann can reproduce later on, the number of the ferrets may grow, which helps them stand stronger against natural risks, CBS news reported. However, the effects of cloning remain unclear, according to CNN.

Elizabeth Ann will not be put into the wild and will stay in the lab where she was born so researchers can study her, according to BBC. The team is now working on producing more “Elizabeth Anns”   in the coming months. Besides that, researchers also point out the importance of protection for ferrets’ living places.

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One day, a bat (蝙蝠) was tired. 【小题1】 But he was not lucky. A weasel (黄鼠狼) saw him sleeping and caught him.

The bat said, “【小题2】 I know you are so friendly. ” But the weasel didn’t listen. “You are a mouse,” he said, “and I like to eat a mouse like you.

“But I’m not a mouse! Shouted the bat. “Look at my wings (翅膀) . 【小题3】 Please let me go. ”

So the weasel let him go. A few days later, another weasel caught the bat. This weasel liked to eat birds. 【小题4】 So he wanted to eat the bat.

The bat tried to talk to this weasel too, but this weasel didn’t listen, either. “You are a bird. I’m going to eat you. ” said the weasel.

“What? I’m not a bird. All birds are covered with feathers (羽毛) ,but I don’t have feathers. I’m a mouse. ” Shouted the bat.

Then the weasel let him go, too. 【小题5】