VOA慢速英语2020 稀有大猩猩携幼崽现身被拍

A conservation group has captured the first images of rare Cross River gorillas² with their babies. Scientists once feared that this rare kind of gorilla¹ had disappeared from existence. But, the images show it is reproducing as efforts to protect the animal continue.

一个环境保护组织首次捕捉到稀有克罗斯河大猩猩携带幼崽的照片。科学家们一度担心，这种稀有的大猩猩已经灭绝了。但是，这些照片显示，随着保护克罗斯河大猩猩的工作继续，这类动物正在繁殖。

The Wildlife Conservation Society, or WCS, had placed cameras in an area of Nigeria's Mbe mountains, where the Cross River gorillas live. The organization recently released the images, which were taken in May. The camera captured images of Cross River gorilla adults and babies.

野生动物保护协会（WCS）在尼日利亚Mbe山脉的一处区域放置了摄像机，那里是克罗斯河大猩猩的栖息地。该协会最近公布了这些5月份拍摄的照片。摄像机捕捉到了成年的克罗斯河大猩猩以及幼崽。

A statement on the group's website describes Cross River gorillas as "the most threatened ape in Africa." These gorillas live in a small mountainous area at the beginning of the River Cross, along the border between Nigeria and Cameroon.

该协会网站上的一份声明称，克罗斯河大猩猩是“非洲最受威胁的猿类”。这些大猩猩生活在尼日利亚和喀麦隆边境的克罗斯河起点处的一个小山区。

Only around 300 Cross River gorillas were known to be alive in the area, noted³ WCS.

该协会强调，这一区域已知存活的克罗斯河大猩猩只有大约300只。

Although illegal hunting is common in the area, the Cross River gorilla is rarely a target of such activity, says WCS. But hunters often use animal traps that represent a threat to the gorilla's survival.

该协会表示，尽管该地区的非法捕猎现象十分普遍，克罗斯河大猩猩却很少成为这类活动的目标。但是捕猎者经常使用的动物陷阱会威胁到克罗斯河大猩猩的生存。

John Oates is a former professor at the City University of New York and a primatologist. He helped establish conservation efforts for the gorillas more than 20 years ago.

约翰·奥茨（John Oates）是前纽约城市大学教授和灵长类动物学家。20多年前，他帮助发起了保护克罗斯河大猩猩的项目。

"It was great to see ... evidence that these gorillas in these mountains are reproducing successfully because there have been so few images in the past," he told The Associated Press. "We know very little about what is going on with reproduction with this subspecies, so to see many young animals is a positive sign."

他在接受美联社采访时表示：“很高兴看到……有证据表明，生活在这些山区的克罗斯河大猩猩能够成功繁殖，因为过去很少能拍到这样的照片。”“我们对这一亚种的繁殖情况知之甚少，所以看到这么多幼年大猩猩是一个积极的信号。”

I'm John Russell.

约翰·罗塞尔为您播报。

Words in This Story

conservation – n. the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources

ape – n. a type of animal (such as a chimpanzee or gorilla) that is closely related to monkeys and humans and that is covered in hair and has no tail or a very short tail

primatologist – n. a scientist who studies primates⁴

subspecies – n. a group of related plants or animals that is smaller than a species: a division of a species

positive – adj. thinking that a good result will happen: hopeful

1 gorilla   

n.大猩猩，暴徒，打手

参考例句：

• I was awed by the huge gorilla.那只大猩猩使我惊惧。
• A gorilla is just a speechless animal.猩猩只不过是一种不会说话的动物。

2 gorillas   

n.大猩猩( gorilla的名词复数 )；暴徒，打手

参考例句：

• the similitude between humans and gorillas 人类和大猩猩的相像
• Each family of gorillas is led by a great silverbacked patriarch. 每个大星星家族都由一个魁梧的、长着银色被毛的族长带领着。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 primates   

primate的复数

参考例句：

• Primates are alert, inquisitive animals. 灵长目动物是机灵、好奇的动物。
• Consciousness or cerebration has been said to have emerged in the evolution of higher primates. 据说意识或思考在较高级灵长类的进化中已出现。