VOA慢速英语2017 鳄鱼养殖业让澳大利亚人民腰包鼓起来

Crocodile Industry Hopes to Boost Australia Aboriginal Communities

A new report says the crocodile industry in Australia's Northern Territory is worth more than four times the previous estimate of $80 million.

一篇最新报道称，澳大利亚北领地鳄鱼产业的产值是此前预估的8千万美元的四倍多。

Officials hope the findings will be meaningful to poorer aboriginal communities that might develop a crocodile farming industry.

一些工作人员希望，这些发现将有助于生活境况相对较差的一些社群开发鳄鱼养殖业。

The saltwater crocodile is the world's largest reptile. In Australia, the crocodiles were once hunted until they almost disappeared. Their skins were used to make durable leather goods and clothes.

河口鳄是世界上最大的爬行动物。曾几何时，澳大利亚的河口鳄被捕杀到几近灭绝。以前，人们用河口鳄的皮来制作耐用的皮革制品和衣裳。

The crocodiles have been a protected species since the early 1970s. And their numbers in Australia's tropical north have increased.

自20世纪70年代初期以来，河口鳄就受到了保护。因此，他们在澳大利亚北部的热带地区数量也有所增加。

The Northern Territory regional government now sees economic opportunities for native communities. Officials want to expand crocodile egg collection programs.

如今，北领地的政府为当地各个社群发现了盈利的机会。一些官员想要拓展收集鳄鱼蛋的项目。

The eggs would help to stock crocodile farms owned by aboriginal groups. These groups would supply skins to companies that make costly clothing and other products such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci.

河口鳄下的蛋可以帮助当地土著开办的鳄鱼场一直保有存量。这些当地土著可以将鳄鱼皮卖给一些公司，这些公司用鳄鱼皮制作昂贵的衣服和其他产品。这样的公司有路易威登和古驰等。

Michael Gunner is the chief minister of the Northern Territory.

迈克尔是北领地的首席领导。

Gunner says the government is looking into investing in rangers to help grow the crocodile industry.

迈克尔表示，北领地政府正在考虑向鳄鱼场投资，帮助发展鳄鱼养殖业。

He says harvesting eggs and growing the crocodile industry locally “is a very important and valuable use of traditional country done by traditional owners.”

迈克尔表示，收集鳄鱼蛋以及发展当地的鳄鱼养殖业是对传统养殖业者对传统类型国家重要而又宝贵的利用。

Bob Katter is a member of the Australian parliament. He said that as crocodile numbers increase, so does the threat to people. He believes hunters should be permitted to shoot them for sport. Katter has argued that crocodile hunts would boost the incomes of aboriginal communities.

鲍勃是澳大利亚国会的官员。他表示，鳄鱼养殖的发展也给人民带来了威胁。他认为，应该允许捕猎者适当地以捕杀鳄鱼为锻炼方式。鲍勃认为，捕杀鳄鱼会增加土著社群的收入。

The Northern Territory government supports crocodile hunts. But only Australia’s federal government can make the final decision. So far, they have refused to permit them.

虽然北领地政府也支持捕杀鳄鱼，但澳大利亚联邦政府才能做出最终的决定。目前为止，联邦政府还尚未批准捕杀鳄鱼。

Conservationists say that the shooting of animals for profit in Australia is, in their words, “abhorrent” and should never be permitted.

自然资源保护者认为，在澳大利亚，以盈利为目的捕杀动物，用他们的话来说就是“恶不可恕”，永远不能允许这种行为。

I’m Jonathan Evans.

Words in this Story

aboriginal – adj. of or relating to the people and things that have been in a region from the earliest time; of or relating to the native people of Australia.

durable – adj. staying strong and in good condition over a long period of time

species – n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants; a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus

sport – n. a physical activity such as hunting, fishing, running, or swimming that is done for enjoyment

ranger –n. a person in charge of managing and protecting part of a national park

stock – v. to fill something, such as a room or a building, with a supply of food, drinks, etc.