Kangaroos can learn to communicate with humans, researchers say

 

Kangaroos can learn to communicate with humans, researchers say／

研究人員說 袋鼠能學習和人類溝通

【摘要2020.12.19.自由】◎周虹汶

Kangaroos can learn to communicate with humans similar to how domesticated dogs do, by using their gaze to "point" and ask for help, researchers said in a study published on Wednesday.

研究人員在週三發表的一份研究中說，和被馴化的狗類似，袋鼠可以學習和人類溝通，利用凝視來「指向」並尋求協助。

The study involved 11 kangaroos that lived in captivity but had not been domesticated. Ten of the 11 marsupials intently gazed at researchers when they were unable to open a box with food, according to the report. Nine alternately looked at the human and at the container, as a way of pointing or gesturing toward the object.

這份研究涉及11隻圈養但未經馴化的袋鼠。根據這份報告，這11隻有袋動物的其中10隻，在打不開一個裝有食物的盒子時，專注凝視研究人員。9隻交替看著人和容器，做為指向或是朝該物體示意的一種方法。

"We interpreted this as a deliberate form of communication, a request for help," Alan McElligott, the Irish researcher who led the study, told Reuters in a call.

主導這起研究的愛爾蘭研究人員亞倫‧麥克利戈特在電話中告訴路透，「我們將之解釋為一種刻意的溝通形式，是一種求助。」

The findings challenge the notion that only domesticated animals such as dogs, horses or goats communicate with humans. (Reuters)

這項發現挑戰了只有諸如狗、馬或山羊這類被馴化的動物會和人類溝通的觀念。（路透）

新聞辭典

captivity：名詞，指囚禁。例句：All the hostages were released from captivity.（所有人質都被放了。）

intently：副詞，指專心地、熱切地。例句：We are listening intently.（我們正洗耳恭聽。）

alternately：副詞，指交替地、輪流地。例句：She criticized and praised him alternately.（她對他時而批評、時而讚許。）