英国新闻听力 印度野生老虎数量大增（在线收听）

A century ago, there were a hundred thousand tigers in the wild.

一个世纪以前，野生老虎数量为10万只。

Today, there are barely 3.5 thousand.

如今只有3500只。

But the picture may not be as bleak as it seems.

但前景可能没有看起来这样渺茫。

The Indian government has announced its tiger numbers have jumped by a third in the past four years.

印度政府宣布本国老虎数量在过去四年内激增了三分之一。

And that is significant because India is home to the majority of the world's tigers, as Janet Barry reports.

这一点很重要，因为世界上绝大多数老虎都在印度。珍妮特·巴里报道。

This Indian government report called "The 2014 Status of Tigers" says there now 2226 of the endangered big cats roaming the country.

印度政府报告《2014老虎现状》显示，目前印度有2226只濒危大型猫科动物。

That's over five hundred more than recorded four years ago in the last tiger census.

比4年前的上一次老虎普查数量多出500只。

Conservationists say this is a significant reversal in fortune of the tiger, which not so long ago was threatened with extinction in India.

环保人士称，不久前印度老虎还濒临灭绝，这一次是老虎命运的重大转折。

"It's good news but there are still many hurdles to overcome to ensure the Indian tiger has a successful future",

“这是好消息，但要保证印度虎有一个美好的未来，还有许多困难要克服”，

says Belinda Wright of the Wild Life Protection Society of India.

印度野生动物保护协会的比琳达·莱特说。

That's right. India seems to have started to get it right.

没错。印度似乎已经开始采取一些正确的措施。

And there's been a lot more focus in the past three four years on better field controlling and scientific monitoring.

在过去的三四年中重视场地控制和科学监控。

India is believed to be home to around seventy percent of all the world's tigers.

印度被认为是世界上约70%的老虎的故乡。

The Indian Environment Minister says it's the only country where tiger numbers are actually rising.

印度环境部长称，这是唯一一个老虎数量正在增长的国家。

Conservationists say the report shows that ambitious conservation targets can be met even in densely populated areas undergoing rapid economic growth.

环保人士称，报告显示，即使是人口密集、经济快速增长的区域，也能达到高远的保护目标。

In 2010, the thirteen countries where tigers are found all pledged to double numbers of the big cats over twelve years.

2010年，拥有老虎的13个国家均承诺在未来12年内使大型猫科动物的数量增加一倍。

This year, Russia is expected to carry out a survey of its Amur tiger.

今年，俄罗斯计划开展一项东北虎调查。

Other surveys are expected in Bangladesh, China, Nepal and Bhutan. Janet Barry.

同样将要开展调查的国家还有孟加拉国、中国、尼泊尔和不丹。

The BBC has been marking the 750th anniversary of the first elected parliament at Westminster with a series of discussions and features about democracy.

珍妮特·巴里。近日，BBC展开了关于民主的一系列讨论和专题报道，纪念第一个在威斯敏斯特选举产生的议会诞生750周年。

It is an issue of particular importance with key elections in Burundi this year and the Democratic Republic of Congo next.

此事意义重大，因为两个关键的选举近在咫尺，即今年布隆迪的选举和明年刚果民主共和国的选举。

Both elections involve incumbent presidents who may look to extend their mandates and hold onto power.

这两次选举都涉及现任总统考虑延长任期，继续执政。

In Congo, a controversial law has been proposed. That has sparked riots in the capital Kinshasa.

在刚果，一项具有争议的提法律提案引发了首都金沙萨的暴乱。

Meanwhile, in Burundi, there have been hints that President Pierre Nkurunziza might seek a controversial third term.

与此同时，布隆迪总统皮埃尔·恩库伦齐扎很有可能希望争取颇具争议的第三次连任。