VOA Special English

VOICE ONE:

This is SCIENCE IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English. I'm Bob Doughty.

VOICE TWO:


A polar bear in Alaska
And I'm Shirley Griffith. This week, we will tell about a decision by the United States federal government to protect polar bears. We will tell about a possible genetic link between farm birds and an ancient, meat-eating creature. And, we will have more first aid suggestions.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

America's northernmost state is threatening legal action in an effort to prevent federal protection of the polar bear. Alaskan officials say there is not enough evidence that polar bears are threatened. They also say the federal listing would harm economic activities and development in the state.

Last month, the federal government identified polar bears as threatened under a wildlife law -- the Endangered Species Act. The polar bear is the first animal to gain such protection because of climate change.

VOICE TWO:

Polar bears live along the northern and northwestern coast of Alaska, in the Arctic Ocean. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said the animals are being protected partly because a large amount of Arctic ice has melted. The polar bear needs this ice to survive. The interior secretary also said computer studies show that the melting will continue into the future.

上一页12 3 4 5 下一页