Endangered Species: The Urgent Need for Protection

1. What is an endangered species? An endangered animal or plant is a species that is considered in immediate danger of becoming extinct. Its population is very small and it needs active protection to survive. In the United States, hunting of endangered animals is not allowed. Neither is importation of their meat, fur, tusks, blubber, or other products. endangered :快要絕種的 (adj.) / to put someone or something in danger of being hurt, damaged, or destroyed extinct :Extinct 絕種，滅絕的 (adj.) / not now existingsurvive:繼續生存，存活；（尤指）倖存 verb / to continue to live or exist, especially after coming close to dying or being destroyed or after being in a difficult or threatening situation EX: These plants cannot survive in very cold conditions. Fur: （動物的）毛，毛皮 noun / the thick hair that covers the bodies of some animals, or the hair-covered skin(s) of animals, removed from their bodies EX: She stroked the rabbit's soft fur. Tusks: （大象等動物的）長牙 noun / either of the two long pointed teeth which stick out from the mouth of some animals such as elephants Blubber:哇哇地哭，孩子似地大哭 verb/ to cry in a noisy way like a child

2. The impact of humans on marine mammals • Extinction has happened throughout history, but in modern times the rate has increased dramatically. There is a link between the increase in the extinction rate and the growth in human population. • Extinction:滅絕；絕種 noun / a situation in which something no longer exists • EX: The extinction of the dinosaurs occurred millions of years ago.

3. The worldwide human population was 1 billion in 1600, 1.5 billion 100 years ago, and is over 6 billion today. At the same time, the species extinction rate has increased to one species a day. If this continues, it will cause a dramatic drop in the diversity of life on our planet, which will most certainly have serious effects. • Diversity:多樣性 (n.) / when many different types of things or people are included in something • Ex: There is a wide diversity of opinion on the question of unilateral disarmament. • Effects:效果；影響；結果 noun/ the result of a particular influence • EX: I think I'm suffering from the effects of too little sleep.

4. Increasingly, people crowd out places for wild plants and animals to live. Some animals and plants can survive in only one specific type of habitat, and when their habitat disappears, so do they. Some areas have become too polluted and unhealthy for animals and plants to survive. Recreational activities also interfere with wildlife. crowd out:把…擠出；排擠；阻礙 phrasal verb with crowd/ to not allow a person or thing any space or opportunity to grow or develop EX: Small local businesses have been crowded out by large multinationals. Habitat:棲息地 (n.) / the natural environment in which an animal or plant usually lives Ex: With so many areas of woodland being cut down, a lot of wildlife is losing its natural habitat. Recreational:娛樂；消遣（方式） noun/ (a way of) enjoying yourself when you are not working EX: His favourite recreations are golf and playing Scrabble. Interfere:妨害，干擾 (ph. v.) / to prevent something from working effectively or from developing successfully Ex: I turned down the radio lest it should interfere with his lessons.

5. For marine mammals, there is the special problem of accidental entanglement in fishing nets and collisions with boats. • Endangered marine mammals • Marine mammals that are on the endangered or threatened species list include southern sea otters, manatees, Guadalupe fur seals, monk seals, humpback, blue, fin, sei, right and bowhead whales. • southern sea otters: The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. Adult sea otters typically weigh between 14 and 45 kg (31 and 99 lb), making them the heaviest members of the weasel family, but among the smallest marine mammals. Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter's primary form of insulation is an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. Although it can walk on land, the sea otter lives mostly in the ocean. • Manatees: Manatees are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows. There are three accepted living species of Trichechidae, representing three of the four living species in the order Sirenia: the Amazonian manatee, the West Indian manatee , and the West African manatee . They measure up to 13 feet (4.0 m) long, weigh as much as 1,300 pounds (590 kg), and have paddle-like flippers. The name manatí comes from the Taíno, a pre-Columbian people of the Caribbean, meaning "breast". • Guadalupe fur seals: he Guadalupe fur seal (Arctocephalus townsendi) is one of six members of the fur seal genus Arctocephalus. Sealers reduced the population to just a few dozen by the late 19th century, but the species had recovered to 10,000 in number by the late 1990s. Many individuals can be found on Mexico's Guadalupe Island.

6. southern sea otters, Manatees, Guadalupe fur seals

7. The western Pacific population of the Steller sea lionwas added to the endangered list in 1997 in response to an 80% drop in its population over the last 30 years. The eastern population is still listed as threatened. Whales • Most of the large whale populations initially became low due to hunting. For instance, blue whales, the largest animals on earth, once numbered 200,000. Today the worldwide population is estimated to be 10,000. Other whales, such as the humpback, right, and bowhead are still endangered, despite being protected. sea lion:海獅 noun/ a large seal from the North Pacific Ocean which has large ears and can move on land • Estimated:估計 (v.) / to guess the cost, size, value, etc. of something • Ex: The police estimated the number of demonstrators at about 5,000 Bowhead: The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is a species of the right whale family Balaenidae, in suborder Mysticeti and genus Balaena. A stocky dark-colored whale without a dorsal fin, it can grow to 20 m (66 ft) in length.

8. In contrast, the gray whale population has made a comeback and has been taken off the endangered species list. The return of the gray whale might be explained by some habits they have that are not shared by the other baleen whales. made a comeback:復辟；復出；東山再起 noun / a successful attempt to get power, importance or fame again after a period of having lost it EX: She's trying to make a comeback with her first album for twenty years.

9. Virtually all gray whales migrate to the same place every year, therefore, they can more easily find a mate. Additionally, most females produce one calf every other year, therefore, they have a relatively high birth rate. • Virtually:事實上 (adv.) / almost • Ex: They are virtually impregnable to attack from any other party. Calf:小牛，牛犢；（象、鯨等大型哺乳動物的）幼崽，幼獸 noun/ a young cow, or the young of various other large mammals such as elephants and whales • Relatively:相對地 (adv.) / something that is relatively small, easy etc is fairly small, easy etc compared to other things • Ex: Luxembourg produces six reputable and relatively inexpensive white wines.

10. Dolphins and porpoises • Many marine mammal scientists are now becoming concerned with the drop in numbers of dolphins and porpoises. River dolphins that live in Asia and the Amazon are disappearing due to dam building and habitat destruction. • Porpoises:鼠海豚 noun/ a mammal that lives in the sea, swims in groups and looks similar to a dolphin but has a shorter rounder nose • Dam: (v.) / to stop something from being expressed or continuing • habitat:棲息地 (n.) / the natural environment in which an animal or plant usually lives • Destruction:毀滅，消滅，破壞 noun/ when something is destroyed • EX: Many people are very concerned about the destruction of the rainforests. • Concerned:使關心 (v.) / to cause worry to someone

11. Another concern is the number of dolphins dying in the tuna fisheries of the eastern tropical Pacific. Historically, yellowfin tuna has been caught by encircling the dolphins that swim above the tuna with purse seine nets. Over 100,000 dolphins per year died in the 1970s and early 1980s after being caught in tuna nets, and several species of dolphins in the eastern tropical Pacific are now considered depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. yellowfin tuna: The yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is a species of tuna found in pelagic waters of tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. tuna nets:鮪魚網

12. Efforts of environmental organizations and consumers led to "dolphin-safe" labeling of canned tuna, and a 98% reduction in dolphin mortality since 1990. However, recent changes in US and international laws have reopened this complex issue, and the outcome is in doubt. Environmental:自然環境的；有關環境的adjective/relating to the environment EX: People are becoming far more aware of environmental issues. dolphin-safe:救海豚 canned tuna:罐裝鮪魚罐頭的 (adj.) / preserved and sold in a metal container Reduction:減少；減小；降低；縮小 noun/ when you make or when something becomes smaller insize, amount, degree, importance, EX: a reduction in traffic Mortality:必死性，生命的有限 noun/ the way that people do not live forever EX: Her death made him more aware of his own mortality.

13. Fortunately, the major companies have all promised to sell only tuna that is caught without encircling dolphins. For more information on the tun-dolphin issue, go to the Earth Island Institute home page or the National Marine Fisheries Service Dolphin Interactions with the Eastern Tropical Pacific Tuna Purse Seine Fishery page. • Fortunately:幸運地；走運地 adverb/ happening because of good luck • EX: Fortunately, we got home before it started to rain. • Promised:允諾，答應；保證 verb/ to tell someone that you will certainly do something • EX: He promised faithfully to call me every week. • Fisheries:漁業 (n.) / an area of water where fish are caught so they can be sold • Ex: A fishery is a place where fish are bred and reared.

14. Sea otters • Another marine mammal, the southern sea otter, was driven to the verge of extinction from being hunted for its fur. The California sea otter population, once over 250,000, today numbers around 1,925. • Verge:邊緣 (n.) / the edge or border of something

15. Although protected, sea otters remain very vulnerable to oil spills; oil soils their fur, destroying its insulatingcapabilities, which leads to hypothermia. In addition, new diseases and parasites are infecting sea otters and causing a decline in their populations. • Oil:石油；原油 noun/ the black oil obtained from under the Earth's surface from which petrol comes • Spills:溢，湧出 (n.) / an amount of something which has come out of a container • Ex: In 1989, there was a massive oil spill in Alaska. • Insulating:絕緣的 (adj.) / preventing heat, sound, electricity, etc. • Ex: Pipes may need insulating against the cold Capabilities:能力；才幹；水準 noun / the ability to do something EX: With the new machines we finally have the capability to do the job properly. Hypothermia:體溫過低 noun/ a serious medical condition in which a person's body temperature falls below the usual level as a result of being in severe cold for a long time Parasites:寄生生物 (n.) / an animal or plant that lives on or in another animal or plant of a different type and feeds from it • Infecting:汙染，感染 (v.) / to pass a disease to a person, animal or plant • Ex: The air is infected with noisome gases.

16. Seals • Many marine mammals in the seal family also suffered a similar fate from hunting. The Guadalupe fur seal once ranged into California, and now its population is reduced to 7,400, centered around Guadalupe Island in Mexico. Northern elephant seals were once hunted for their oil. Although they were once endangered with fewer than 100 individuals in the late 1800s, their population now has recovered to over 150,000. • Guadalupe Island: Guadalupe Island or is a volcanic island located 241 kilometres (150 mi) off the west coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula and some 400 kilometres (250 mi) southwest of the city of Ensenada in Baja California state, in the Pacific Ocean.  • Endangered:快要絕種的 (adj.) / to put someone or something in danger of being hurt, damaged, or destroyed • Ex: The giant panda has become an endangered species • has recovered to:已經恢復

17. In recent years, many seal and sea lion species in Alaska have declined including populations of northern fur seals, harbor seals, and Steller sea lions. It is believed that one of the major reasons for their decline is accidental catch in fishing operations and competition for food with commercialfisheries. Accidental:偶然的；意外的 adjective/ happening by chance EX: The site was located after the accidental discovery of bones in a field. Competition:競爭 noun/ when someone is trying to win something or be more successful than someone else EX: Competition for jobs is intense. Commercial:商業的 商務的 貿易的adjective/ related to buying and selling things EX: The commercial future of the company looks very promising. • Fisheries:漁業 (n.) / an area of water where fish are caught so they can be sold • Ex: A fishery is a place where fish are bred and reared.

18. The Stellar sea cow • Other marine mammals, such as the Steller sea cow, Caribbean monk seal, and certain whale stocks, have actually become extinct in historic times. The Steller sea cow was discovered in 1741 by the Vitus Bering expedition. Due to over hunting for its meat, the sea cow vanished in 1768, within 27 years of its discovery. Monk:修道士；僧侶 noun/ a member of a group of religious men who do not marry and usually live together in a monastery Expedition:遠征；探險，考察 noun/ an organized journey for a particular purpose EX: Scott died while he was on an expedition to the Antarctic in 1912.

19. Manatees • Unfortunately, a relative of the Steller sea cow, the West Indian Manatee, is now in severe danger of extinction. In 1989, the estimatedmanatee population in Florida was 1,200. The following year over 140 manatees died. Human causes were responsible for 75% of these deaths, and the single biggest cause of deaths was attributed to being hit by boats. • Estimated:估計 (v.) / to guess the cost, size, value, etc. of something • Ex: The police estimated the number of demonstrators at about 5,000. • Manatee: Manatees are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows. There are three accepted living species of Trichechidae, representing three of the four living species in the order Sirenia: the Amazonian manatee, the West Indian manatee , and the West African manatee . They measure up to 13 feet (4.0 m) long, weigh as much as 1,300 pounds (590 kg), and have paddle-like flippers. The name manatí comes from the Taíno, a pre-Columbian people of the Caribbean, meaning "breast". • be attributed to:歸因於…

20. Manatees are very slow movers and sometimes sleep near the surface of the water. Motor boat encounters often result in severe injuries and broken bones. Manatee reserves have been set up, but death rates are still high, probably due the popularity of motor boating and growth in Florida population. Manatees give birth only every three years or so. Unless drastic measures are taken, manatees could become extinct. injuries :傷害，損傷 noun / physical harm or damage to someone‘s body caused by anaccident or an attack EX: Several train passengers received/sustained serious injuries in the crash. reserves :把…專門留給；把…留作；保留 verb /to keep something for a particular purpose or time EX: I reserve Mondays for tidying my desk and answering letters. popularity :流行 noun/ when something is liked, enjoyed or supported by many people EX: the increasing popularity of organic food.

21. How to help protect marine mammals • You can help protect endangered marine mammals. You can 1) support non-profit organizations like The Marine Mammal Center, working to rescue and protect marine mammal species; 2) support legislation that helps keep the ocean clean and protects habitat; and 3) make wise choices as consumers. You can use products that are biodegradable and less harmful to the environment. • Rescue:救援；營救；解救 verb/ to help someone or something out of a dangerous, harmful or unpleasant situation • EX: The lifeboat rescued the sailors from the sinking boat. Legislation:法律；立法 a law or set of laws suggested by a government and made official by a parliament • EX: he government has promised to introduce legislation to limit fuel emissions from cars.

22. You can recycle bottles, aluminum, paper, and plastics, which helps to protect habitat. You can choose recreational activities that do not disturb habitat or wildlife. You can avoid buying products that endanger wildlife and plants such as tuna (non-dolphin-safe), ivory, wild animal fur and feathers, and tropical woods. • Aluminum:鋁 noun / US FOR aluminium • Tuna:金槍魚；金槍魚肉noun / a large fish which lives in warm seas

23. We also need to pressure government to come up with effective recovery programs for endangered species. Write to your legislators to voice your support. Together, we can help protect the rich variety of life on earth. • Recovery: （尤指健康、能力、所有物等）失而復得，重新得到，追回，收復，尋回 noun/ the process of getting back something lost, especially health , ability, possessions, • EX: At last the economy is showing signs of recovery • Legislators:Legislator 立法委員 (n.) / a member of a group of people who together have the power to make laws • Ex: The new legislators are a bunch of worthless politicos.