Endangered Tiger Makes Resurgence in India

     The endangered tiger is making resurgence¹ in India.  A recent census² indicates(表明) the number of tigers has risen in the South Asian nation, which is home to half the world's population of the big cats.

    Using hidden cameras and DNA³ tests, census data collectors found 1,706 tigers in forests and wild life sanctuaries⁴ across the country - about 300 more compared to four years ago.

    That came as good news for conservationists struggling to halt a steady decline in the numbers of the big cat. The results of the last census, announced in 2007, raised concern after it revealed that India’s tiger population had plummeted⁵（铅锤,坠子） by more than 50 percent.

    Rajesh Gopal heads "Project Tiger," the government-run conservation effort to save the tiger.

    He says the latest count included every part of the country, unlike the last census, which excluded some areas. Gopal says the numbers are higher, even after adjusting for areas that were not covered in the last survey.

    "If you compare the exact area which was estimated in 2006 and 2010, excluding areas like Sunderbans and parts of Assam which we had not assessed, then there is a 12 percent increase in the tiger numbers over the past four years," said Gopal.

    India’s environment minister, Jairam Ramesh, says the rise in the numbers of tigers is encouraging.  But he says much remains⁶ to be done to ensure the species survives. "We have a mixed bag, we have reason to feel satisfied with what we have done, but the threats are imminent," he stated.

    About 45,000 square kilometers of forest area have been earmarked for tiger reserves across India. But India's rising human population is shrinking the tiger's natural habitat.  An increase in poaching in recent decades has added to the tiger's plight⁷.

    As a result, the number of tigers has plummeted from about 100,000, in 1900, to the current level of about 1,700.

    Several countries are waging a battle to save the tiger, but the most critical fight will be in India, which accounts for about half the world’s remaining tiger population.（本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑）

1 resurgence   

n.再起，复活，再现

参考例句：

• A resurgence of his grief swept over Nim.悲痛又涌上了尼姆的心头。
• Police say drugs traffickers are behind the resurgence of violence.警方说毒贩是暴力活动重新抬头的罪魁祸首。

2 census   

n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查

参考例句：

• A census of population is taken every ten years.人口普查每10年进行一次。
• The census is taken one time every four years in our country.我国每四年一次人口普查。

3 DNA   

(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸

参考例句：

• DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。
• Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

4 sanctuaries   

n.避难所( sanctuary的名词复数 )；庇护；圣所；庇护所

参考例句：

• The designation of special marine reserves and marine sanctuaries shall be subject to the State Council for approval. 海洋特别保护区、海上自然保护区的确定，须经国务院批准。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• After 1965 he acquiesced when they established sanctuaries on that soil. 1965年以后，他默认了他们在那块土地上建立庇护所。 来自辞典例句

5 plummeted   

v.垂直落下，骤然跌落( plummet的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Share prices plummeted to an all-time low. 股票价格暴跌到历史最低点。
• A plane plummeted to earth. 一架飞机一头栽向地面。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

7 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。