拯救大熊貓是野生動物保護的一大成功案例。經過幾十年來的努力，人們為這個標志性的哺乳動物創造了保護區，將它們從滅絕的邊緣拉了回來。但根據一項新的研究，雖然同一地區的許多其它動物從這項保護工作中受益，但有些動物卻很吃虧。

Giant pandas are living proof that conservation works. Their numbers in the wild are recovering after years of decline, and protecting the mountain forests in which they live has been good for many other animals, including birds and small carnivores.

大熊貓是保護工作行之有效的活生生的例證。野生大熊貓的數量在連續多年下降后開始回升，而保護它們所生活的山地森林對許多其它動物，包括鳥類和小型食肉動物，都是有益的。 

Yet, according to a new study, it's a different story for larger predators such as leopards and wolves. Asian wild dogs have disappeared from 95% of areas set up to protect pandas, leopards and wolves from more than three quarters, and snow leopards from almost half. Scientists in China say these four carnivores are being driven to near extinction by poaching and destruction of the habitat they need to hunt over large distances. 

然而，根據一項新的研究，對于像豹和狼這樣的大型捕食者來說，情況則有所不同了。豺犬已從95% 的大熊貓保護區消失，豹和狼已從超過四分之三的大熊貓保護區消失，而雪豹已從近一半面積的大熊貓保護區消失。中國科學家們表示，這四種食肉動物因偷獵破壞了它們遠距離捕獵所需的棲息地而瀕臨滅絕。

Conservation efforts have often been based on protecting specific flagship species such as the panda. But experts argue for a more holistic approach that aims to protect whole ecosystems, rather than focusing on a single species.

野生動物保護工作通常基于保護特定的重要物種，比如熊貓。但專家們認為應采取一種更全面的方法來保護整個生態系統，而不只是關注單一物種。

詞匯

living proof 活生生的證明
conservation 動物保護
carnivores 食肉動物
predators 捕食者，食肉動物
Asian wild dogs 豺，豺犬
snow leopards 雪豹
poaching 偷獵
flagship 最重要的，最主要的
holistic 全面的，整體的
ecosystems 生態系統

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題。

1. True or false. The numbers of wild pandas are on the rise.

2. What types of animals have benefited from protecting the mountain forests where giant pandas live?

3. What are the four larger predators being driven to near extinction by poaching and destruction of their much-needed habitats?

4. According to experts, what type of conservation efforts should be taken?

答案

1. True or false. The numbers of wild pandas are on the rise.
True. The numbers of wild pandas are recovering after years of decline.

2. What types of animals have benefited from protecting the mountain forests where giant pandas live? 
Animals that also live in the mountain forests, such as birds and small carnivores.

3. What are the four larger predators being driven to near extinction by poaching and destruction of their much-needed habitats? 
They are leopards, wolves, Asian wild dogs, and snow leopards.

4. According to experts, what type of conservation efforts should be taken?
Experts argue for a more holistic approach that aims to protect whole ecosystems, rather than focusing on single species.