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

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

http://www.rferl.org/content/seal-video-ukraine-dudko/24894905.html