新奇事件簿 气候变化将雪豹推向灭绝边缘

The conservation charity World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned that climate change is threatening the existence of the snow leopard¹ in the Himalayas. Its Snow Leopard Programme says rising temperatures are shrinking the natural habitat of the big cat to the point that snow leopards² could become extinct. In a new report, the charity says that up to a third of the mountainous areas where the leopards live could become uninhabitable. Much of the flora³ and fauna⁴ the animals need to survive could disappear in warmer temperatures. The WWF said: "The Himalayas region will face a major crisis if we choose to ignore climate change. We risk losing majestic⁵ species such as the snow leopard."

世界自然基金会发出警告，气候变化正在将喜马拉雅山脉的雪豹推向灭绝边缘。该雪豹项目表示称，不断升高的气温正在缩短该种大型猫科动物的栖息地，并达到了导致雪豹灭绝的程度。根据基金会的最新报告显示，三分之一的雪豹栖息地将不再适合雪豹的生存。随着环境温度升高，森林植被或将消失。世界自然基金会称：“如果我们放任气候变化于不顾，那么喜马拉雅地区将面临重大危机。像雪豹这样的大型生物随时都会有灭绝的风险。”

It isn't just climate change that is posing a serious threat to the future of the snow leopard. A variety of activities from humans is also adding to the dangers the animals face. Snow leopards are highly sought after for their fur and body parts. More and more poachers are joining this lucrative⁶, illegal trade and are killing⁷ the animals. The leopards are also being killed by farmers who are trying to protect their livestock⁸. As the natural prey⁹ of the snow leopards is decreasing, the animals are venturing into areas inhabited by humans and killing farm animals. The result is the farmers shoot the leopards. The WWF released its report on Friday, which was the first International Snow Leopard Day.

对雪豹构成严重威胁的不仅仅是气候变化。一系列人类活动更是雪上加霜。雪豹的皮毛和脏器深受人类欢迎。有更多捕猎者参与到了这场暴利，非法的行业中来。农民为了保护家禽也会杀害雪豹。由于雪豹天敌的减少，它们随即向人类聚集的地方进发，并杀害家禽。其结果就是遭到农民的枪杀。世界自然基金会于周五发布了这份报告，而这天也是首个国际雪豹日。

1 leopard   

n.豹

参考例句：

• I saw a man in a leopard skin yesterday.我昨天看见一个穿着豹皮的男人。
• The leopard's skin is marked with black spots.豹皮上有黑色斑点。

2 leopards   

n.豹( leopard的名词复数 )；本性难移

参考例句：

• Lions, tigers and leopards are all cats. 狮、虎和豹都是猫科动物。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• For example, airlines never ship leopards and canaries on the same flight. 例如，飞机上从来不会同时运送豹和金丝雀。 来自英语晨读30分（初三）

3 flora   

n.(某一地区的)植物群

参考例句：

• The subtropical island has a remarkably rich native flora.这个亚热带岛屿有相当丰富的乡土植物种类。
• All flora need water and light.一切草木都需要水和阳光。

4 fauna   

n.(一个地区或时代的)所有动物，动物区系

参考例句：

• This National Park is an area with unique fauna and flora.该国家公园区域内具有独特的动物种群和植物种群。
• Fauna is a biological notion means all the animal life in a particular region or period. 动物群是一个生物学的概念，指的是一个特定时期或者地区的所有动物。

5 majestic   

adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的

参考例句：

• In the distance rose the majestic Alps.远处耸立着雄伟的阿尔卑斯山。
• He looks majestic in uniform.他穿上军装显得很威风。

6 lucrative   

adj.赚钱的，可获利的

参考例句：

• He decided to turn his hobby into a lucrative sideline.他决定把自己的爱好变成赚钱的副业。
• It was not a lucrative profession.那是一个没有多少油水的职业。

7 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

8 livestock   

n.家畜，牲畜

参考例句：

• Both men and livestock are flourishing.人畜两旺。
• The heavy rains and flooding killed scores of livestock.暴雨和大水淹死了许多牲口。

9 prey   

n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨

参考例句：

• Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
• The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。