纪录片《卧底企鹅帮》 第4期 漫漫长路(4)

Fur seals!

海狗来了

Chasing penguins¹ is one of their favourite pastimes.

追赶企鹅是它们最喜欢的娱乐方式

To the seals, it's just a game.

对海狗来说，这只是个游戏

They normally prey³ on fish and squid.

它们通常以鱼和乌贼为食

But the Humboldts aren't taking any chances.

但洪堡企鹅也不敢徒然冒险

Higher up the beach is a colony of sea lions.

在海滩高处，是海狮群落

Although they look just like fur seals,

尽管和海狗的长相雷同

they're three times bigger and they will kill penguins.

但它们的体型有海狗的四倍大，而且会猎杀企鹅

There's also rather a lot of them.

它们的数量也不容小觑

20,000 in all, blocking the way to the penguins' nest site.

总共两万只，严严实实地堵住了企鹅的筑巢之路

Crossing the blockade won't be easy.

穿过障碍物到达目的地并非易事

HumboldtCam is already in the thick of it

洪堡企鹅摄像机已潜入险境

as the first penguin² tries his luck.

这时第一只企鹅冒险一试

Near the shore, sea lions are thin on the ground.

在靠近海岸的地方，海狮分布地比较稀疏

It seems surprisingly straightforward⁴.

毫不费力就穿过去了

But nothing is ever that simple.

但凡事都没那么简单

It's so easy to put a foot wrong.

走错一步在所难免

But there's no turning back now.

但现在没有回头路了

Their best chance is to run for their lives.

现在它们只能拼命逃跑

Fortunately for them, sea lions are slow and clumsy on land.

幸运的是，海狮在陆地上行动笨拙又缓慢

The penguins outmanoeuvre them every time.

企鹅们每次都能出奇制胜

A close call...then a bite!

这只企鹅侥幸逃生，被咬了一口

But he escapes with his life.

但它逃脱了

The advanced party makes it.

先头部队成功通过了

But only just!

却也是命悬一线

They desperately⁵ clamber to safety.

它们拼命爬上岩石

Their followers⁶ aren't so lucky.

后面的成员就没这么幸运了

Just in time, they find a place to hide - a sea cave.

它们及时找到了藏身之所，一个岩洞

It might offer shelter or hold hidden dangers.

这可能是避难所，也可能暗藏杀机

No-one's keen to find out.

没人想要去一探究竟

1 penguins   

n.企鹅( penguin的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Why can penguins live in cold environment? 为什么企鹅能生活在寒冷的环境中？ 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Whales, seals, penguins, and turtles have flippers. 鲸、海豹，企鹅和海龟均有鳍形肢。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

2 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。

3 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。

4 straightforward   

adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的

参考例句：

• A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
• I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。

5 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

6 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。