纪录片《冰冻星球》 第7期 世界的尽头（7）

 

These bison are even bigger than their southern cousins

这些野牛较其低纬同类体型更大

and the largest land animals in North America.

是北美洲最大的陆生动物

For generations, wolves and bison here

狼与野牛在此代代抗衡

have been shaped by their battles with each other,

于是得以进化

making each the most impressive of its kind.

成为同物种的佼佼者

The bison will not stay long among the trees.

野牛不会在林中栖息过久

They're not safe here.

这里并非安全地带

The wolves are closing in,

狼群逐渐靠近

but their chance of ambushing¹ the bison in the woods has passed.

可惜在林中伏击野牛的机会业已丧失

Their prey² are now in the open

猎物已进入空旷区域

and grouped together for safety.

结伴而行 以保安全

The wolves will need to work as a team

狼群若想一击成功

if they are to make a kill.

便需要协作作战

They circle the herd³, trying to unsettle it

它们呈围攻之势 企图扰乱阵脚

and split it up.

进而各个击破

But the bison are armed and dangerous.

不过野牛角锋锐利 相当危险

They will be safe as long as they stick together.

如能互为犄角 便可保持不败

The wolves up their game, harrying⁴ the herd,

狼群让战斗升级 率先挑衅

a ploy⁵ to trigger a stampede

先对牛群进行骚扰

and split away one of the smaller ones.

从而孤立出一个孱弱者

The bison form a defensive⁶ circle around their young,

野牛们以幼崽为中心 组成防御性外围

horns pointing outwards⁷.

它们的角朝外

1 ambushing   

v.埋伏( ambush的现在分词 )；埋伏着

参考例句：

• The militia succeeded in ambushing the invading enemy soldiers. 民兵们成功地伏击了入侵的敌军。 来自互联网

2 prey   

n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨

参考例句：

• Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
• The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。

3 herd   

n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起

参考例句：

• She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
• He had no opinions of his own but simply follow the herd.他从无主见，只是人云亦云。

4 harrying   

v.使苦恼( harry的现在分词 )；不断烦扰；一再袭击；侵扰

参考例句：

• The tax authorities have been harrying her for repayment. 税务局一直在催她补交税款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He is increasingly active in harrying the government in late-night debates. 他越来越活跃，在深夜辩论中不断攻击政府。 来自辞典例句

5 ploy   

n.花招，手段

参考例句：

• I think this is just a government ploy to deceive the public.我认为这只是政府欺骗公众的手段。
• Christmas should be a time of excitement and wonder,not a cynical marketing ploy.圣诞节应该是兴奋和美妙的时刻，而不该是一种肆无忌惮的营销策略。

6 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。

7 outwards   

adj.外面的，公开的，向外的；adv.向外；n.外形

参考例句：

• Does this door open inwards or outwards?这门朝里开还是朝外开？
• In lapping up a fur,they always put the inner side outwards.卷毛皮时，他们总是让内层朝外。