(1) Read the story. (2) Tell the story in your own words. (3) Ask the questions.
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Humans aren’t the only species with serial killers. A male bottlenose dolphin, dubbed “Echo,” is believed to be responsible for at least 20 killings of fellow dolphins, mostly juveniles from rival pods. Echo’s method was chilling: he would separate a smaller dolphin from its group, then attack it with bites and powerful slaps from his tail. Once the victim was weakened, Echo would pin it underwater until it drowned.
While aggression between dolphins isn’t uncommon, the calculated, repetitive nature of these attacks stunned researchers. “He displayed predatory behavior not driven by food or mating,” said Dr. Lena Cruz of the Oceanic Behavior Institute. Ordinarily, scientists avoid interfering with natural behavior, but eventually the decision was made to intervene. To protect other pods, Echo was captured and is now being held at SeaWorld in Miami, Florida. |
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