《中英對照讀新聞》Idaho mountain lion had teeth growing from forehead 愛達荷山獅有副從前額長出的牙齒

◎魏國金

A mountain lion killed in the US state of Idaho had a set of fully formed teeth growing out of its forehead, wildlife officials say. The lion was legally shot dead by a hunter on 30 December.

一頭在美國愛達荷州遭殺害的山獅，有一套從前額長出的全然成型的牙齒，野生動物保護官員說。這頭獅子去年12月30日被一名獵人合法射殺。

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The Idaho Department of Fish and Game says the teeth could be the remnants of a conjoined twin which died in the womb, or possibly a kind of tumour. Biologists in the region have never seen anything like this particular deformity before, it says.

愛州漁業暨狩獵部指出，該套牙齒可能是在子宮內死亡的連體嬰殘餘，抑或是一種腫瘤。該單位並說，這個區域的生物學家此前未曾見過這類特殊的畸形。

The lion was hunted after it attacked a dog near the town of Weston, Idaho. The dog survived, but a hunter set off in pursuit and killed the big cat a few hours later.

這頭獅子在攻擊愛州威斯頓鎮附近的一隻狗後遭追獵。狗兒雖存活，但獵人動身追捕，並在數小時後殺了這隻大貓。

A conservation officer checked the lion’s body, as required by law, and found the set of teeth, as well as what appeared to be a set of whiskers on the left side of the animal’s forehead.

一名保育官員依法檢查獅子的遺體，因而發現這套牙齒，以及前額左側的鬍鬚。

Mountain lions, a native species of big cat, are relatively common in Idaho. They are elusive animals which seldom come into contact with humans. They are territorial and require large swathes of wilderness to thrive.

山獅是原生種大貓，在愛州相當常見。牠們是獨行動物，鮮少與人類接觸。牠們具地域性，需要廣大的野地繁衍生存。

In winter, their prey species, such as deer and turkeys, move down from the mountains to escape colder temperatures, often gathering at the edges of villages or towns. This can put mountain lions into conflict with people, livestock and pets.

冬季時，牠們的獵物，例如鹿與火雞等，往山下遷移以躲避低溫，並因此常群聚於村莊或城鎮的邊緣。這恐會讓山獅與人、牲畜及寵物產生衝突。

新聞辭典

set off：片語，啟程、動身、開始。例句：I will set off for home on Friday in order to vote in the presidential election. （我週五將動身回家，參與總統選舉投票。）

in pursuit（of）：片語，追捕、追求。例句：The dog ran in pursuit of rabbit.（狗追兔子。）

elusive：形容詞，排外的、全部的、唯一的。例句：This is an exclusive black residential area.（這是純黑人的住宅區。）