纪录片《美丽中国》 第66期 沃土中原（9）（在线收听）

This fearsome-looking beast

这种面目吓人的动物

is a Chinese alligator

就是扬子鳄

known as the Muddy Dragon

也叫土龙

Despite its association with the mythical Chinese dragon

尽管和传说中的龙有关系

the reptile has long been regarded by country people

这种爬行动物一直以来却被村民看做是

as a fish-eating pest

吃鱼的祸害

and has been persecuted

并一直被捕杀

almost to the point of extinction

几乎到了灭绝的边缘

There are only around 150 Chinese alligators

现在只有大约150只扬子鳄

left in the wild

生存于野生环境中

and it's mainly down to the care and protection

多亏像老农常金荣这样

offered by dedicated people like retired farmer

致力于此的人们的

Chang Jinrong

关心和保护

that any survive at all

他们才得以幸存

Today, most Chinese alligators live in captivity

现如今大多数扬子鳄生活在豢养环境中

At this breeding center near Xuancheng

在宣城附近的繁殖研究中心

Chinese alligators gather for their extraordinary courtship

扬子鳄由于他们独特的求爱方式而聚集在一起

The males bellow to attract a mate

雄性发出吼声以吸引异性

As it travels through the water

声音在水中向四周传播

the sound is both heard and felt by the female

可以被雌性听到和感觉到