小学阅读训练:Tigers have less land

有史以来对老虎的栖息地最全面的科学研究发现，老虎现在的栖息地比10年前人们认为的面积减少了40%。这些老虎现在的活动范围只占历史活动范围的7%。

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Tiger habitats worldwide have shrunk by 40 percent in the past decade and their survival depends on cracking down on illegal hunting, working to reduce conflicts with humans, and protecting key ranges (动植物分布区), according to a study, the most thorough ever.

The tiger population has steadily declined to about 7,500 globally, and the big cats continue to face many threats including the trade for medical purpose in Asia. Now, tigers roam in only 7 percent of their historic range 40 percent less than a decade ago, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) noted.

The study by a few conservation groups identified for the first time 76 areas, mostly in Asia, that have the best chance of supporting tiger populations. Many important areas have been overlooked, largely because there has been no method to systematically identify areas of high conservation potential, the study said. About half of the 76 areas can support 100 tigers and offer excellent opportunities for the recovery of wild tiger populations.

Researchers are focusing on a few key regions in India, Russias Far East and parts of Southeast Asia. Tiger breeding areas must be protected and efforts to link different tiger habitats need to be improved, the study said.

We have learned many important lessons over the last 10 years, and this study provides a blueprint for scientists and the countries that hold the key for the tigers survival, said Mahendra Shrestha, director of National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Conservation efforts so far have helped stabilize certain tiger populations, but many initiatives did little to stop the crisis. John Robinson of the Wildlife Conservation Society said tiger conservation requires international co-operation and commitment from local groups, governments to bring the species back to all parts of its biological range.

Help:

shrink v. to become smaller 缩小

crack down on v. to start dealing with bad or illegal behavior in a more severe way 制裁

stabilize v. to cause something to become fixed or to stop changing使稳定

initiative n. a new action taken on ones own, often intended to solve a problem 主动措施

True (T)or False (F):

1. Tigers have lost more than one-third of their habitats in the past ten years.

2. The trade for medical purpose is mainly blamed for tigers small number.

3. In the past most tiger habitats were unknown to people.

4. Maybe Asian countries should take more measures to protect tigers.

(Key: 1-4 TFFT)