Saving the Last Wild Tigers

Saving the Last Wild Tigers, written by Terry Patterson.

《拯救最后的野生老虎》，作者：特里·帕特森。

Introduction Tigers are some of the most powerful animals in the world. That's why you might be surprised to learn that these huge cats are in big trouble. They are in danger of dying out completely, but many people around the world are trying to save them.

前言 老虎是世界上最强有力的动物之一。 所以你得知这种大型猫科动物正深陷危机时，可能会非常惊讶。 它们正面临彻底灭绝的危险，不过全球有很多人都在努力拯救它们。

Why tigers are important Tigers are among Earth's most beautiful animals. They are also important members of the habitats where they live. They help keep nature in balance. Tigers eat hoofed animals such as deer and wild pigs. Without tigers, these animals would eat too many plants. Then other animals that need the plants for food and shelter would suffer.

为什么老虎很重要 老虎是地球上最美的动物之一。 它们也是自己栖息地的重要成员。 它们帮助维持大自然的生态平衡。 老虎捕食鹿、野猪这类有蹄动物。 如果没有老虎，这些动物会吃掉太多植物。 那些依靠植物获取食物和庇护的其他动物就会遭殃。

Disappearing Tigers Long ago, nine types of tigers lived across large parts of Asia. During the 1900s, three types became extinct. Now a fourth type of tiger is probably extinct in the wild. One hundred years ago, more than one hundred thousand wild tigers were alive. Now, only about three thousand five hundred live in the wild. All remaining types of tigers are endangered.

正在消失的老虎 很久以前，亚洲大片区域生活着九种老虎。 在20世纪，其中三种彻底灭绝了。 现在第四种老虎在野外也基本绝迹了。 一百年前，全世界还有超过十万只野生老虎。 如今，只有大约三千五百只野生老虎存活于世。 所有现存的老虎种类都濒临灭绝。

Buying, selling, and poaching The biggest reason that tigers are endangered is the buying and selling of tiger body parts for money. To get these body parts, some people poach or break the law and kill wild tigers. Why do people want tiger body parts? For many centuries, some Chinese medicines used tiger bones and other body parts. Some people thought that these medicines would help cure certain illnesses. They believed that a tiger's strength could heal people.

买卖与偷猎 老虎濒临灭绝最主要的原因，就是有人为了牟利买卖老虎的身体部位。 为了得到这些身体部位，一些人会偷猎，也就是违法猎杀野生老虎。 为什么人们想要老虎的身体部位呢？ 数百年来，部分中药会用到虎骨和老虎的其他身体部位。 有些人认为这些药材可以治疗某些疾病。 他们相信老虎的力量能治愈人类。

Most Chinese medicines do not use tiger parts, but some companies still make medicines from tiger parts. Criminals can make a lot of money by selling dead tigers to these companies. Selling tiger products has been against the law in China since 1993, and most countries around the world have agreed not to buy or sell tiger parts or products. But poaching continues. Poachers care more about making money than about protecting endangered animals.

现在大多数中药都不会使用老虎部位，但仍有部分企业用老虎部位制药。 罪犯把死老虎卖给这些企业就能赚一大笔钱。 自1993年起，售卖虎制品在中国就是违法行为，全球大多数国家也约定不买卖老虎部位及虎制品。 但偷猎仍然没有停止。 比起保护濒危动物，偷猎者更在乎赚钱。