纪录片《我们的地球》 第22期 从南极到北极(22)

The elephants are nearing the end of their long journey.

象群正接近漫长旅途的终点

After weeks of marching they're desperately¹ tired.

经过数周的长途跋涉，它们都已是精疲力尽

The matriarch can smell water and encourages the herd² to make one last effort.

母象首领闻到了水的气味，它鼓励象群再做最后的努力

The youngsters are exhausted³, but their mothers have made this journey before

小象疲惫不堪，不过它们的母亲以前也经历过这种旅行

and they know that they're close to water.

它们很清楚水就在不远的前方

After many hundreds of miles they've arrived.

在完成数百英里的行程之后，它们终于抵达了目的地

The lives of these elephants are dominated by the annual rhythm of wet and dry,

这些大象的生活决定于一年一度的干湿季节交替

a seasonal⁴ cycle created by the sun.

这是太阳造成的季节循环。

1 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

2 herd   

n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起

参考例句：

• She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
• He had no opinions of his own but simply follow the herd.他从无主见，只是人云亦云。

3 exhausted   

adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的

参考例句：

• It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长，到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
• Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。

4 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。