VOA慢速英语2021--印尼竞相保护濒危的爪哇长臂猿

Indonesian officials are seeking to protect a small environment on Java island that is home to an endangered population of gibbons.

Also known as the silvery gibbon, the primate¹ is only found on Java, Indonesia's most populous² island.

The animals help keep forest areas healthy by spreading seeds around the area. But conservation groups say the gibbons' habitat is increasingly under threat because of climate change and human activities.

The local group SwaraOwa says it observes a population of about 400 gibbons living in a 73-kilometer protected area in the Petungkriyono Forest in central Java.

Researcher Arif Setiawan said as many as 70 groups are often seen in the forest, compared to about 50 in 2012. But he warned that their habitat is still under threat. "The real threat now is the integrity³ of the forest itself because of the increasing number of human activities," he said.

The American-based group Conservation International estimates there are around 4,000 Javan gibbons left. They are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species⁴.

SwaraOwa and the government hold meetings with members of the local community each month in an effort to raise awareness⁵ of the issue. They have also posted signs in the area stating that hunting and logging are not permitted in the forest.

In one project, officials work with local village chiefs to produce shade-grown coffee as a business. This kind of growing can be done without harming forest land.

SwaraOwa also operates nature tours, including overnight visits, for visitors coming to the area. Those efforts aim to provide a way for locals to earn income without harming the environment.

The more difficult issue to deal with is climate change. "It is still raining when it is supposed to be the dry season and that will eventually impact the vegetation⁶," said local forestry⁷ official Untoro Tri Kurniawan.

"Instead of fruiting season, leaves grow," he said. "So, the flower that is supposed to become fruit would fall and eventually impact the animals in Petungkriyono," he added.

Words in This Story

primate – n. a member of the group of animals that includes monkeys and people

habitat – n. the natural environment of a plant or animal

conservation – n. the act of keeping something safe from harm or from being damaged or destroyed

integrity – n. the state of being whole and undivided

tour – n. a visit to and around a place, area or country

impact – n. the effect a person, even or situation has on someone or something

vegetation – n. plants and trees that grow in a given area

1 primate   

n.灵长类（目）动物，首席主教；adj.首要的

参考例句：

• 14 percent of primate species are highly endangered.14%的灵长类物种处于高度濒危状态。
• The woolly spider monkey is the largest primate in the Americas.绒毛蛛猴是美洲最大的灵长类动物。

2 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。

3 integrity   

n.正直，诚实，诚恳，完整，完全，完善

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• He is a man of the highest integrity.他是个极其正直的人。

4 species   

n.物种，种群

参考例句：

• Are we the only thinking species in the whole of creation?我们是万物中惟一有思想的物种吗？
• This species of bird now exists only in Africa.这种鸟现在只存在于非洲。

5 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

6 vegetation   

n.植物，草木，（植物）生长

参考例句：

• As we drove towards the desert,the vegetation became sparse.我们驱车前往沙漠，沿途的草木渐渐变得稀疏。
• The earth bore a thick green mantle of vegetation.大地覆盖着一层厚厚的绿色植物。

7 forestry   

n.森林学；林业

参考例句：

• At present, the Chinese forestry is being at a significant transforming period. 当前, 我国的林业正处于一个重大的转折时期。
• Anhua is one of the key forestry counties in Hunan province. 安化县是湖南省重点林区县之一。