原文视听

The rather gentlemanly way stalk-eyed flies
凸眼蝇
settle their differences over females
温和的争风吃醋
is not the only way.
并不是唯一的求爱之道
Some animals are much more violent.
有的动物暴力多了
It's the dry season in Zambia.
现在是尚比亚的旱季
The lagoons are either baked dry,
泻湖不是被炎阳烤干
or the mud is so thick animals get stuck,
就是变成黏稠的污泥
with fatal consequences.
受困其中的动物凶多吉少
This male hippo has been living in one small lagoon,
这只公河马 原本住在一个小小的泻湖里
but as it dries, it's turning into a death trap.
但泻湖干涸后，变成致命陷阱
Understandably, the females that once shared it with him have all left.
可想而知，原本和它住在一起的母河马 走得一只都不剩
Even if he wants to,
不管它有多舍不得
he can't stay much longer.
都得被迫离开
He needs water to keep cool and females to mate with.
它需要水来消暑 也需要能交配的母河马
And this is where they all are.
原来它们都在这里
Almost all the hippos in the area
本区几乎所有的河马
are in what is left of the Luangwa River,
都来到卢安瓦河
because it's the last place where there's still deep water.
因为这里是 唯一还有深水区的地方
This bend is controlled by an all-powerful male.
这里的河弯 由一只河马老大掌管
Since the drought many more females have joined his herd.
时序进入旱季后 有很多母河马来投靠它

重点解释

The lagoons are either baked dry, or the mud is so thick animals get stuck,泻湖不是被炎阳烤干就是变成黏稠的污泥

either...or...:不是...就是...

You are either with me or against me.

你不是支持我就是反对我。

Can you speak either English or French?

你会说英语或法语吗？

This male hippo has been living in one small lagoon,这只公河马，原本住在一个小小的泻湖里

live in:住进

He had to live in the shadow of his famous father.

他不得不在他那有名望的父亲的庇护下生活。

but as it dries, it's turning into a death trap.但泻湖干涸后，变成致命陷阱

turn into:（使）变成

The botanical garden has turned into a wilderness.

植物园成了一片荒野。

The whole thing turned into a bitter quarrel.

整件事酿成了激烈的争吵。

He needs water to keep cool and females to mate with.它需要水来消暑，也需要能交配的母河马

mate with:使紧密配合，交配

The queen bee is likely to mate with two or three drones.

蜂王有可能与两只或者三只雄蜂交配。