Lesson 109. Adorable Koalas in Danger
第109课 可爱的树袋熊面临危险
Koalas are considered an Australian national icon.
考拉被视为是澳大利亚的国家象征。
These adorable tree-hugging animals feed on eucalyptus tree leaves.
这些可爱的抱树动物以桉树的树叶为食
The problem is on average a koala destroys 13 pounds of the leaves to eat 2 pounds a day.
问题是一只考拉一天平均损毁13磅的树叶来吃其中的3磅。
Because of this, 5,000 koalas soon face starvation on Kangaroo Island in the south of Australia.
由于这个缘故，在澳大利亚南方的袋鼠岛上，有5000只考拉很快就面临挨饿的问题。
The authorities are now considering shooting them to control the island's koala population explosion.
当局现正考虑射杀它们以便控制岛上考拉数目的暴增。
However, animal activists suggest growing more trees.
然而，保护动物人士则建议多种植一些树。
"There aren't too many koalas. There are too few trees." They argue.
他们认为：“考拉并不会太多，而是树太少了。”
Neighboring provinces have even recommended relocating some of the koalas to them.
临近的一些省甚至建议把其中的一些考拉迁移到他们那里。
Most Australians feel that the authorities must do all they can to avoid killing the koalas for to do so would be a national disgrace.
大部分的澳大利亚人觉得政府当局必须竭力避免宰杀考拉，因为那么做的话将是一项国耻。