国家地理安第斯山脉的美洲狮（打印版）

From its northern border with Peru, Chile stretches some 2,700 miles to the bottom of South America,

从北部的秘鲁到南部的南美洲底部，智利国境绵延长达2,700英里，

longer than the distance from New York City to Los Angeles.

比纽约到洛杉矶的距离还长。

Strung out along its entire length are the Andes Mountains.

安第斯山脉纵穿整个智利。

Here among these rocky peaks, life goes civilized and wild has learnt to thrive.

在山顶上，生命逐渐进化的文明，野生动物学会了怎样繁衍。

In Torres Del Paine National Park, pumas have found a refuge. A young female stakes out her territory.

在Torres Del Paine国家公园，美洲狮找到了避难所。一头雌性美洲狮监管着她的领地。

She'll range over 60 square miles in search of food.

她将在60平方英里的范围内寻找猎物。

The puma's main prey is the guanaco, the camel of the Andes. Catching one is not easy.

美洲狮的主要猎物是guanaco，一种生长在安第斯山的骆马。想捕获一头骆马并不容易。

The herd keeps alert while grazing, ready to flee at a moment's notice.

骆马群吃草的时候非常机警，遇到紧急状况随时逃走。

Even after a successful hunt, repeat meals aren't guaranteed.

即使成功的捕获了猎物，也不能保证每餐都有食物。

While the puma sleeps, grey foxes discover her catch, and snatch a bite. It attracts the attention of condors gliding overhead.

美洲狮睡觉的时候，灰狐狸可能会发现她的猎物，跑来抢走一口。同时也会吸引在周围盘旋的大兀鹰的注意。

Outweighed and out-numbered, the foxes scamper away, leaving the carcass to be stripped clean by the condors.

美餐一顿之后，灰狐狸蹦蹦跳跳的跑开了，尸体则被兀鹰啄食干净。

When times are lean, pumas will take their chances with other prey.

食物匮乏的时候，美洲狮也会寻找机会捕捉其他猎物。

Most of Chile's agriculture is centered around the coastal low lands, but these wild open spaces make excellent ranching.

智利的大部分农业集中在海岸的低地上，但是这篇广阔的开阔地则孕育了优质的牧场。

The puma has yet to learn that hunting sheep can make herself the hunted.

美洲狮还不明白，在她捕捉猎物的时候，她自己也有可能成为猎物。

Though protected by law within the park, they are fair game outside. Ranchers place large bounties on pumas, and will shoot on sight.

虽然在公园内有法律保护，但是在公园外面，几率是平等的。牧场工人给美洲狮很大的诱饵，然后可以在视野范围内射击。

She manages to escape, reappearing in a few days later. This female has learned an important lesson about surviving in the Andes.

她成功的逃脱了，几天之后又重新出现。这头雌狮学会了在安第斯山生存的重要一课。

In time, she will develop her hunting skills, she will use them to feed her cubs,

迟早，她会学习捕猎技能，她利用这项技能来哺育后代，

and continue the puma's role in a rugged, majestic environment of the Chilean Andes.

使美洲狮在崎岖，巍峨的安第斯山生存繁衍下去。