VOA慢速英语2016 美国最新国家级哺乳动物：美洲野牛（在线收听）

AS IT IS 2016-04-30 Bison: America's New National Mammal? 美国最新国家级哺乳动物：美洲野牛

This is What’s Trending Today….

以下是今日新鲜事。

The bald eagle is the only “national” animal of the United States.

秃鹰是美国唯一的"国家级"动物。

But that could soon change.

但是这点很快就会改变。

The U.S. government may soon recognize the bison as the national mammal.

美国政府很快就会承认北美野牛为国家哺乳动物。

This week, both houses of Congress approved a bill called the “National Bison Legacy Act.” The bill would officially recognize the wild animal as the national mammal.

本周，国会两院均批准了法案《国家野牛遗产法案》（National Bison Legacy Act）。该法案正式认可此种野生动物为国家哺乳动物。

The measure now goes to President Barack Obama.If he signs the bill, it becomes a law.

该法案现已交由总统奥巴马定夺。如果总统签署了该法案，那么该法案即成为法律开始生效。

Bison, also called buffalo, are the largest land animals in North America. They are hairy and have a big head and short horns.

北美野牛又称为水牛，是北美洲最大的陆栖动物。北美野牛多毛头大，并长有较短的犄角。

U.S. lawmakers called the bison a sign of American strength.

美国立法人员将北美野牛称作是美国力量的标志。

Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico spoke in support of the bill.He said that “recognition of our new national mammal will bring a new source of pride for Americans -- just like the bald eagle” and bring greater attention to protecting the species.Many years ago, bison were almost extinct in North America.

美国新墨西哥州的参议员Martin Heinrich表示支持该法案。他表示，如秃鹰一样，承认美国最新国家级哺乳动物能够为美国人民带来新的自豪感，也能引起大家注意保护该物种。多年以前，北美野牛几乎在北美洲灭绝了。

On social media, many people expressed support for the move. They also praised Republican and Democratic lawmakers for being able to agree on something.

很多人都在社交媒体上表示支持此举。他们还表扬了共和党和民主党能够在这件事情上达成一致意见。

But, one reporter joked on social media that choosing the bison as the national mammal was “bad news for humans.”Human beings, of course, are also mammals.

但一名记者在社交媒体上戏谑道，将北美野牛评为国家级哺乳动物对人类来说是个坏消息。因为人类也是哺乳动物。

Bison already appear on the state flags of Kansas and Wyoming.Bison are also on the official seal of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

北美野牛已经出现在了堪萨斯州和怀俄明州的州旗上。北美野牛图像也出现在美国内政部公章上。

Tens of millions of bison once lived throughout an area stretching from central Canada south through the Great Plains and northern Mexico.

从加拿大中部向南到北美大平原和墨西哥北部的广阔领域里曾生活着数以万计的北美野牛。

After many years of hunting, the population fell to about one thousand or fewer by the late 1800s.Now, there are about 30,000 wild bison. The largest population lives in Yellowstone National Park.

但由于多年狩猎，到19世纪末，野牛数量已经降低至1000只甚至更少。目前，约有30，000只北美野牛。黄石国家公园中的北美野牛数量最多。

Efforts to give the bison special recognition began about five years ago.Native Americans on the InterTribal Buffalo Council joined with wildlife groups to create a “National Bison Day.”

人们在5年前就已经开始努力，希望给予非洲野牛特别的关注了。部族间野牛理事会（InterTribal Buffalo Council）的美国原住民和一些野生动物组织共同制定了"国际野牛日"。

The observance recognizes the importance of the animal’s role in providing food, shelter, and clothing for many Native Americans before European settlement.

欧洲在此殖民之前，北美野牛为美国原住民提供的食物、庇护所以及衣物方面非常重要，该仪式对其重要性表示认可。

National Bison Day is held on the first Saturday in November.

国际野牛日为11月第一个星期六。

Words in This Story

mammal - n. a type of animal that feeds milk to its young and that usually has hair or fur covering most of its skin?

species - n. a group of animals that are similar and can produce young animals 

extinct - adj. no longer existing

seal - n. an official mark that is stamped on paper or on a small piece of wax to show that something (such as a document) is genuine and has been officially approved

role - n. the part that someone or something has in a family, society, or other group