新西兰英语 473 Emperor Penguin will leave New Zealand

 　　First, listen to June 25th 2011 for background to this story.

　　The Emperor Penguin¹ found near Wellington six weeks ago is now well. He has been called “Happy Feet” which is the name of a dancing penguin in a movie.

　　He was taken to Wellington zoo when he became ill. A Wellington medical specialist used an endoscope to put a camera down his oesophagus. The camera was on the end of an 80cm tube and the doctor had to put it in carefully on a 180 degree angle. The camera showed sand and sticks in his stomach. Water was poured into his stomach to help remove the sand and sticks. About 100 people watched the operation through a glass window.

　　The penguin is now well and eating 2kg of salmon² a day. His weight has gone from 22kg six weeks ago to 26kg now. He is living in an air conditioned cage with a pool. It is costing about $10,000 to keep him at the zoo but people have donated money. More people are now visiting the zoo to see the penguin.

　　The plan is to put the penguin on a boat which will take him south of New Zealand and let him go into the sea. That will cost about $30,000. The vet³ at the zoo attached a small radio to the penguin. This will send signals to show where he goes.

　　Don Wilson has written a song about “Happy Feet” to help raise money for the boat. You can listen to the song on YouTube or buy the The Ballad⁴ of Happy Feet CD

　　Questions

　　1.The penguin had X-rays, an endoscopy operation and many other expensive operations. Do you think so much money should be spent on a penguin?

　　2.The vets⁵ at the zoo said that if the penguin gets lost in the sea, they cannot do anything to help. Why did they put a radio on the penguin?

1 penguin   

n.企鹅

参考例句：

• The penguin is a flightless bird.企鹅是一种不会飞的鸟。
• He walked with an awkward gait like a penguin.他走路的步子难看得就像企鹅。

2 salmon   

n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的

参考例句：

• We saw a salmon jumping in the waterfall there.我们看见一条大马哈鱼在那边瀑布中跳跃。
• Do you have any fresh salmon in at the moment?现在有新鲜大马哈鱼卖吗？

3 vet   

n.兽医，退役军人；vt.检查

参考例句：

• I took my dog to the vet.我把狗带到兽医诊所看病。
• Someone should vet this report before it goes out.这篇报道发表之前应该有人对它进行详查。

4 ballad   

n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲

参考例句：

• This poem has the distinctive flavour of a ballad.这首诗有民歌风味。
• This is a romantic ballad that is pure corn.这是一首极为伤感的浪漫小曲。

5 vets   

abbr.veterans （复数）老手，退伍军人；veterinaries （复数）兽医n.兽医( vet的名词复数 )；老兵；退伍军人；兽医诊所v.审查（某人过去的记录、资格等）( vet的第三人称单数 )；调查；检查；诊疗

参考例句：

• I helped train many young vets and veterinary nurses too. 我还帮助培训了许多年青的兽医和护士。 来自互联网
• In fact, we've expanded mental health counseling and services for our vets. 实际上，我们已经扩大了退伍军人的心理健康咨询和服务。 来自互联网