Professor Hugo is not explicitly stated to be human in the story.
The story is written from the perspective of a narrator who is visiting a zoo with his family. He encounters Professor Hugo, a man who claims to have extraordinary abilities and knowledge about animals. The Professor displays a deep understanding of animal behavior, even predicting the actions of the animals in the zoo.
However, the story intentionally leaves some ambiguity about Professor Hugo's true nature. This ambiguity creates a sense of suspense and wonder throughout the narrative.
Here's why some readers might think he's not human:
* His knowledge is vast and specific: The Professor seems to know everything about the animals, even their inner thoughts and motivations. This is beyond what a normal human could achieve.
* He uses terms like "we" when referring to the animals: This could be interpreted as him identifying with the animals, implying a deeper connection or even a non-human nature.
* He refers to himself as a "naturalist" but acts suspiciously like a "zoologist": This could suggest he's something more than just a natural observer.
The story leaves it up to the reader to decide whether Professor Hugo is human or something else entirely.