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At Home With The Ukrainian Boy Who Netted A 'Monster'


The Ukrainian Teenager Who Spotted A 'Sea Monster'
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Fourteen-year-old Kirill Dudko at home in Donetsk, where he spotted an elephant seal in a live-streamed video of the seafloor half a world away. (Video by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)

RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service tracked down the aspiring Ukrainian biologist who stayed up late on a school night recently to help North American scientists net a rare video.

As we blogged last week, 14-year-old Kirill Dudko e-mailed scientists at the University of Victoria involved in the oceanic live-streaming and observatory network known as Neptune Canada, in the eastern Pacific Ocean, to ask what he'd seen gulping down a hagfish at nearly 900 meters beneath the surface.

He became an instant feel-good story around the globe, as biologists and other observers praised Dudko's efforts and initiative for bringing the sighting of the female elephant seal to light.

Here's the Ukrainian Service's video report on their visit with Dudko, who says the incident has strengthened his resolve to become a biologist.

-- Andy Heil

About This Blog

Written by RFE/RL editors and correspondents, Transmission serves up news, comment, and the odd silly dictator story. While our primary concern is with foreign policy, Transmission is also a place for the ideas -- some serious, some irreverent -- that bubble up from our bureaus. The name recognizes RFE/RL's role as a surrogate broadcaster to places without free media. You can write us at transmission+rferl.org

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