新奇事件簿 物种灭绝 乌龟幸存（在线收听）

Giant Galapagos tortoises used to be a symbol for endangered animals. In the 1960s, there were just 15 of the animals in existence. They were dying out because wild goats were eating their food and damaging their habitat. This caused conservationists to take action to help them. Forty years later, the tortoises are doing well. There are over 1,000 of them living and breeding in the wild. Scientists say it is a conservation success story. Conservationist James Gibb said: "What we basically found over time is that about half of the tortoises that were released have survived." Mr Gibbs added: "That's actually pretty amazing." Gibbs said the tortoises can now survive without human help.

巨大的加拉帕戈斯陆龟是濒危动物的典型。在20世纪60年代,只有15只加拉帕戈斯陆龟存活。他们濒临灭绝,是因为野生山羊吃了它们食物，破坏了它们的栖息地。这促使自然资源保护者采取行动，帮助它们。四十年后, 加拉帕戈斯陆龟都活得很好。1000多只乌龟在野外生活、繁殖后代。科学家们说，这是保护物种的一个成功案例。自然资源保护人士詹姆斯吉布说，随着时间的推移，我们基本上发现,当时大约半数获救的乌龟,都幸存下来了。吉布斯先生补充道，这很让人吃惊。吉布斯说，乌龟现在不需要人类的帮助，也能生存。

Giant tortoises used to live all over the world. People hunted them and destroyed their habitat, so they almost became extinct. Giant tortoise numbers fell from over 250,000 in the 16th century to just a few thousand in the 1970s. Giant tortoises can weigh up to 250 kg and can live in the wild for over 100 years. One tortoise lived in captivity for more than 170 years. Wikipedia says: "Tortoises also live very uncomplicated lives, and can nap up to 16 hours a day." Mr Gibbs said the conservation story in the Galapagos Islands would continue. Next year, a small island that lost all of its tortoises a few years ago will get 200 tortoises. Gibbs is looking forward to "another success".

巨龟曾生活在世界各地。人们猎杀他们,破坏他们的栖息地,所以他们几乎绝种了。16世纪的时候，巨龟有250,000多只，到了20世纪90年代，数量减少至几千只。巨龟可以重达250公斤,可以在野外存活100多年。一只乌龟曾被囚禁了170多年。维基百科说，乌龟的生活很简单,一天可以睡16个小时。”吉布斯先生说，在加拉帕哥斯群岛,保护自然资源的故事将继续上演。一个曾在几年前失去所有乌龟的小岛，明年将会获得200只乌龟。吉布斯期待再一次“成功”。