情景英语：中级美语对话(第109讲)

　109.Adorable Koalas in Danger p.248

　　Koalas are considered an Australian national icon¹. These adorable tree-hugging animals feed on eucalyptus² tree leaves. The problem is on average a koala destroys 13 pounds of the leaves to eat 2 pounds a day. Because of this， 5，000 koalas soon face starvation on Kangaroo Island in the south of Australia.

　　The authorities are now considering shooting them to control the island's koala population explosion. However， animal activists³ suggest growing more trees. “There aren't too many koalas. There are too few trees.” They argue. Neighboring provinces have even recommended relocating some of the koalas to them. Most Australians feel that the authorities must do all they can to avoid killing⁵ the koalas for to do so would be a national disgrace.

　　koalas 树袋熊     eucalyptus 桉树

　　adorable 可爱的     adore 疼爱

　　extinction⁶ 灭绝

　　fluffy⁷ 毛茸茸的，松松的

　　icon = symbol 象征    national icon

　　feed on 以动物为主语   live on 以人为主语      embrace = hug

　　on average  adv.平均而言     destructive

　　typhoon 台风    On average there are ten typhoons beating the Philippines.非绿宾群岛

　　activist⁴ 积极分子

　　neighboring = nearby

　　authorities 始终复数

　　You should do all （that） you can （do） to help them.