MACQUARIE ISLAND: from Chaos toConservation麦夸里岛:从混乱不堪到精心保护I am standing on Macquarie Island, in the South-west Pacific Ocean, halfwaybetween Australia and Antarctica. Strong winds and stormy seas have helped sculptits long, thin shape. The green grass and bare rock of its landscape contrastdramatically,giving it a wild and natural beauty. No visitor would think itsurprisingthat the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Nor would they fail to imagine howits native inhabitants including royal penguins, king penguins, and elephantseals existed in perfect harmony with their natural habitat forthousands of years.我正站在麦夸里岛上,这里位于太平洋的西南部,澳大利亚和南极洲的中间。强风和惊涛骇浪将海岛塑成现在狭长的形状。绿草和光禿的岩石形成的景观反差巨大,使海岛呈现出一种狂野和天然的美。这座岛是联合国教科文组织确立的世界遗产,游客们都认为其名副其实。他们也不难想象出,数千年来,包括帝企鹅、王企鹅和象海豹在内的当地动物是如何与其自然栖息地完美地和谐共存的。But the islands more recent history tells a different story. It a tragic story that beganin 1810 when humans arrived on the island. In their ships they unknowingly broughtrats and mice.These small animals quickly took over the island, eating the birds’ eggsand attacking baby birds. Cats were brought to the island to control the rats and mice.Unfortunately, the catssubsequently developed an appetite for the birds, too.但是,这座岛近些年的遭遇则是截然不同的故事。悲剧从人类 1810 年来到这座岛屿开始。他们不经意间随船带来了大鼠和小鼠。这些小动物很快就占领了岛屿 ,它们吃鸟蛋并攻击幼鸟。为控制鼠患,人们带来了猫,但不幸的是,猫随后也开始以鸟为食。Meanwhile rabbits were introduced to the island as a source of food for humans.Loose on the island, they did what rabbits do best -they multiplied rapidly and beganeating the native vegetation and digg...
