英語聽力：自然百科 最后的巨型淡水鱉

Conserving wildlife is a struggle all governments face, but nowhere more sole than in China, where the world’s last female rafetus turtle (斑鱉)is about to be introduced to her new home. 600 miles and 17 hours into the journey, the team arrives at the Suzhou Zoo. The zoo has constructed a divided breeding pond for the occasion: one side for the female; one for the male. In a few days, if the turtles don’t show any aggression, the gate will be opened. Crowds have gathered to witness the arrival of the famous female.

This is special because it is the largest turtle in China. It is one of the most revered turtles in China, and this is the last male and the last female known in China. So, it’s important not just to us as conservation biologists, but to the Chinese people. This is an extremely important event.

(If you just move it inside, then we’re gonna come right by, understand?

Ah, do not put it in the water. Take care.

Easy, easy, easy…

Here we go. Here we go.

There she goes.)

The new pond is a paradise compared to her old home. And the female is happy just to be out of thecrate. (Excellent, there she is!) Teen turtle is elated(高興) with the success of phase one.

This is the last female on the planet of this species of turtle, and this is literally the last chance we have to save this species.

Phase two is to coax(誘導) the male through a connecting tunnel into his half of the pond.

But the fence is there for a reason.

The male is nearly three times the size of the female, and he has already killed another turtle. Instead of mating with her, he could attack her.

If we introduce them and he does not recognize the female as a female, then there will be a fight. We’re concerned, but I’m hoping love is in the air. And I believe we’ll know this afternoon when we see the male and the female, on opposite sides of the protective barrier, able to see each other and smell each other and touch each other for the first time.

The unexpected scent of a female lures the male into his half of the pond, and he’s not the only one whose interest has peaked. Now, the two will have a night to get acquainted through the dividing gate.

The next day, a rainstorm inundates(淹) Suzhou, but for the turtles, the weather is just setting the mood. The male and the female have spent the night piercing the fence. And Dr. Cooley insists that time is right to open the gate.

The female definitely is a very good looking girl, and the male, I hope the female thinks the same of the male that he’s a good looking guy. But what I can tell, she’s almost interested what’s next door and this is a male. This is also one reason why we’re confident we should open the gate now.

The zoo gives the team the final go-ahead. It’s time for the big introduction. The male hesitates to approach the open gate. And the team gets ready for an emergency separation. Finally, he makes his move. (There he goes. He’s headed right towards it.) And the two disappear into a swirl(漩渦) of bubbles.

There are something going on in the middle of the pond here.

The underwater courtship(求愛) begins as the team closely watches for any signs of aggression. But so far, all signs point to a successful match. (Ah, there she goes.) In a few months, the female will lay her eggs and they’ll know for certain if the plan has worked.

She can lay anywhere from 20 to 80 eggs, and so one or two fertile clutches would, by an order of magnitude, increase the number of this species on earth. If this effort is not successful, then the species will become extinct.

The future of the rafetus turtle now depends upon the dangerously limited gene pool. But biologists agree this is no reason to let the animals die out.

You know, sometimes people say, “Wow, the species gets below a certain number. It’s no longerviable genetically.” I don’t believe it. I think that if there is a pregnant female remaining, you should make the effort to try to bring that species back from the brink(邊緣) ofextinction.