英语听力：自然百科 鲨鱼湾的海豚—3

 She's already lost four babies, at least one to sharks. This new calf¹ would be especially precious. Very little is known about the first days of a calf's life. It's a rare opportunity for Janet to learn more. 

 

"They are all very close, and they just sort of stay together, tight in rest"

 

All the dolphin families in Shark Bay are mostly made up of females. Just like cuddling in humans, the Beachies spent a lot of time touching² and patting. Family is everything for dolphins. 

 

Son India swims alongside Puck. A five and a half years old,he's still unusually attached to her. Most young males leave the female families at around four years old, but India isn't in any hurry to go.

 

"He knows it's a big bad world out there with the big bad boys, so he's stayed close to mum for now. He's not gonna want to give all this nice family fun up, but he might have to."

 

With Puck's new baby due soon, India's days with the Beachies are numbered. Across the Bay, most of the females have already had their calves³, timing⁴ their arrival to well before the big sharks arrive.

1 calf   

n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮

参考例句：

• The cow slinked its calf.那头母牛早产了一头小牛犊。
• The calf blared for its mother.牛犊哞哞地高声叫喊找妈妈。

2 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

3 calves   

n.(calf的复数)笨拙的男子，腓；腿肚子( calf的名词复数 )；牛犊；腓；小腿肚v.生小牛( calve的第三人称单数 )；（冰川）崩解；生（小牛等），产（犊）；使（冰川）崩解

参考例句：

• a cow suckling her calves 给小牛吃奶的母牛
• The calves are grazed intensively during their first season. 小牛在生长的第一季里集中喂养。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。