野性美洲（2020）

孤立的荒野
isolated wilderness.
当然，这是最糟糕的事情，但就像一个不知道从哪里来的诅咒，另一个大瘟疫似乎正在降临
Surely, this is as bad as things can get, but like a curse out of nowhere, another biblical plague seems to be descending.
成千上万的蝗虫在荒芜的稀树大草原上蜂拥而至，仿佛受到了巫术的召唤，在平原上嗡嗡作响
Buzzing across the plains as if conjured by witchcraft, millions of locusts swarm through the deserted savanna.
在平原上，一切都以巨大的规模移♥动♥
Here in the plains, everything moves in colossal proportions.
肥沃的平原，以及喧闹的鸟群和满足的水豚家庭，似乎已经蒸发了
The fecund plains with their noisy flocks of birds and contented families of capybara seem to have evaporated.
沙漠占据了大地，平原成了蝗虫的王国
Desert overtakes the landscape, the plains now the kingdom of the locusts.
蝗虫使草木化为尘土，化为乌有
The locusts reduce the vegetation to dust, to nothing.
它们像断头台一样无情的大嘴咀嚼着每一颗植被
Their implacable, guillotine-like mouths chew on every blade of vegetation.
然而，蝗虫虽然是平原的新主人，却不是和平的统治者
However, although the locusts are the new lords of the plains, they do not reign in peace.
蝗虫是来自天堂的法力，对于生活在这里的猛禽来说，
Locusts are mana literally from heaven for the birds of prey that live here,
天上飞来的食物，数量巨大
a providential food that flies in, in huge quantities.
凤头卡拉鹰、秃鹰和鹰成群聚集在昆虫云周围
Caracaras, buzzards, and eagles gather in their dozens around the cloud of insects.
北方的凤头卡拉鹰是最具组织性的
The northern crested caracaras are the best organised.
六只或七只一组，像狼群一样合作狩猎
Groups of six or seven hunt in cooperation like a wolf pack.
它们的攻击线驱散了蝗虫，蝗虫在前进的过程中起飞了
Their lines of attack scatter the locusts, which take off as they advance.
当它们逃跑的时候，成群的昆虫从鸟儿身边经过，鸟儿趁飞行时捕捉食物
And as they flee, the swarming insects pass close to the birds who take the opportunity to capture a snack on the wing.
每天有好几个小时，各种各样的猛禽会充分利用蝗虫的到来填饱肚子
For several hours a day, the various species of the birds of prey make the most of the surface of locusts to fill their stomachs.
平原上的掠食者必须趁食物充足的时候好好利用，猎食到天亮
The predators of the plains must take advantage of this abundance of food while it lasts, hunting until the last light of day.
而当夜幕降临，夜班动物就会接管
And when darkness falls, the night shift takes over.
气温的下降使蝗虫行动迟缓
The drop in temperature makes the locusts sluggish.
随着它们的行动几乎减少到瘫痪的地步，某种东西正在跟踪它们
With their movement reduced almost to the point of paralysis, something is stalking them.
由于蝗虫的不动，一只平原小老鼠大吃了一顿
A small plains mouse feasts thanks to the locust's immobility.
每片乌云都有一线光明，即使是蝗虫密布的乌云，
Every cloud has a silver lining, even a cloud of locusts,
这既是沙漠平原给老鼠的礼物，也是给鸟儿的礼物
which is a gift from the desert plains as much for the mouse as for the birds.
这是一年中它们唯一能获得这么多蛋白质的时间
It's the only time in the whole year they will have access to so much protein.
随着时间的推移，戏剧性的场面愈演愈烈
As time goes by, the drama intensifies.
水池和水道完全干涸
The pools and channels dry up completely.
虽然鳄鱼、乌龟和水豚仍然可以利用热泥浆和水
While they still can, crocodiles, tortoises, and capybara make use of the hot mud and water.
但渐渐地，每一个水坑都变成了致命的陷阱
But little by little, each puddle becomes a deadly trap.
在没有选择的情况下，鳄鱼和水豚疲惫地走出泥陷阱，寻找最后一个水坑
With no options left, crocodiles and capybara wearily head out of the mud traps in search of one last watering hole.
于是，一场紧张的出逃开始了，一场与时间的痛苦赛跑开始了
And so begins an anxious exodus, an agonising race against the clock.
这是一个有风险的操作，但留在这里更危险，甚至是致命的
It's a risky operation, but staying is even more dangerous, deadly even.
寻找水源不仅令人窒息，每一步都是危险的
The search for water is not only asphyxiating, it's perilous in every step.
很多难民都熬不过去
Many of the refugees will not make it.
新鲜的草已经消失，取而代之的是尘土飞扬的大地，
The fresh grass has disappeared, replaced by dusty Earth,
并不是所有的朝圣者都能到达它们曾经的天堂
and not all the pilgrims will reach what remains of their former paradise.
对水蟒来说，这么多迁徙的动物群是一个很好的机会
For anacondas, so much migrating fauna is a good opportunity.
水蟒也会在长廊森林中避难，这是平原上最后一个可以提供喘息的地方
Anacondas also take refuge in the gallery forests, the last place in the plains to offer some respite.
这些可能超过10米长的巨蛇藏在泥土和落叶中
These huge snakes that may exceed 10 metres in length hide in the mud and fallen leaves.
水蟒们焦急地等待着雨水的回归，但同时也在等待着一些缺乏防备的动物的失误
The anacondas are anxious for the return of the rains but also await the misstep of some off-guard animal.
水蟒通常会在伏击中停留数日，
Anacondas often remain in their ambushes for days,
但有时，如果它们发现有旅行者经过，就会从藏身之处钻出来
but sometimes, if they detect the passage of a traveller, they will emerge from their hiding place.
几条奥里诺科河小鳄鱼是小蟒蛇的绝佳机会
A few small Orinoco crocodiles are an excellent opportunity for a young anaconda.
不管年幼与否，鳄鱼都不会心甘情愿地成为别人的食物
Young or not, crocodiles will not willingly become someone else's food.
虽然很累，但它们仍然足够强壮和健康来保护自己
And though tired, they're still strong and healthy enough to defend themselves.
没有什么能阻止它们到达平原上仅存的少数绿洲之一，即使是一条饥饿的水蟒也不行
Nothing will stop them from getting to one of the few oases left on the plains, not even a hungry anaconda.
每个动物都在水还流的地方寻找避难所
Everyone is looking for sanctuary where the water still flows.
画廊森林，一个隐藏的新鲜流动水的天堂
The gallery forests, a hidden haven of fresh running water.
尽管河岸带的小溪和小溪遭遇了残酷的季节性干旱，但生活还是稍微轻松了一些
Despite the brutal seasonal drought in the brooks and streams of the riparian zone, life is somewhat easier.
晶莹剔透的淡水泉水，
Crystal clear freshwater springs,
快乐世界的最后残余，到处都是成群结队的热带鱼
the last remnants of a happy world, are filled with tropical fish that swim in small shoals.
这与邻近平原上盛行的干旱和死亡形成了鲜明的对比
It's a striking contrast to the drought and death that prevails on the adjacent plains.
几十种不同种类的鱼在河里和水池里游泳，
Dozens of different species of fish swim in the river and pools,
然而，尽管它的外表很受欢迎，
and yet, despite its welcoming appearance,
对于原始居民来说，这个栖息地不一定是完美的天堂，它们需要谨慎
this habitat is not necessarily a perfect paradise for its pristine inhabitants who need to be cautious.
不远处，一种原始的岩石状爬行动物潜水寻找藏身之处
Not far away, a primitive rock-like reptile dives in search of a place to hide.
一只玛塔龟从泥泞的岸边朝更清澈的水域走去寻找食物
A mata-mata turtle heads from the muddy bank towards clearer waters in search of food.
玛塔龟在水流的推动下沿着河床前行，
The mata-mata is propelled along the riverbed by the current,
寻找能满足其需求的地方
searching for somewhere that meets its needs.
玛塔龟是水生猎手的专家，会运用伪装和伏击
The mata-mata turtle is an expert aquatic hunter, employing camouflage and ambush.
它的捕猎方法需要极度的耐心
Its hunting methods require patience in the extreme.
一旦它找到了藏身之处，它就开始一动不动地守夜
Once it's found its hiding place, its motionless vigil begins.
玛塔龟藏在光天化日之下，鱼却在自信中成长
While the turtle hides in plain sight stalk still, the fish grow in confidence.
最终，它们会放松警惕，过于接近耐心的猎手
Eventually, they will let their guard down and get too close to the patient hunter.
然后，不知道如何或为什么，
Then, without knowing how or why,
一个接一个，它们消失在一张移♥动♥速度快得难以看清的嘴巴里
one after the other, they disappear into a mouth that moves so quickly it's hard to see.
当一场致命的捉迷藏游戏在晶莹剔透的泉水中进行时，
While a deadly game of hide-and-seek is played out in the crystal clear springs,
在平原上，温度越来越高
out on the plains, the heat increases.
在森林的树枝上，吼猴休息和降温
Up the in branches of the forests, howler monkeys rest and cool off.
族群的一些成员啃树叶，寻找肉质的水果来解渴
Some members of the clan nibble at leaves and look for fleshy fruits to quench their thirst.
河边的森林可以为它们提供一整年的食物，但在旱季的骄阳下，
The riverside forest can supply them with food for an entire year, but under the scorching sun of the dry season,
猴子会花费最少的精力，花更多的时间打盹，而不是寻找食物
the monkeys will expend the minimum of effort and employ much more time napping than looking for food.
然而，尽管它们昏昏欲睡，它们总是保持警惕
And yet, despite their drowsiness, they're always on guard.
几声看不见的轻柔脚步声，让它们警觉起来
The soft sound of a few unseen steps puts them on alert.
它们是被平原上最大的掠食者美洲狮发现的
They've been discovered by the plain's greatest predator, a puma.
但就目前而言，还没有迫在眉睫的危险
But for the moment, there's no immediate danger.
大猫也感受到了炎热和干旱的影响，太累了，无法捕猎
The great cat is also feeling the effects of the heat and the drought and is too tired to hunt.
警报过去后，平静再次降临到猴群身上，
After the alarm passes, calm descends on the troop once more,
吼猴寻找一些阴凉处，等待下午空气稍微凉一点的时候
and the howlers look for some shade in which to wait for the afternoon when the air cools a little.
即使是最可怕的美洲狮也会进入一种介于清醒和睡眠之间的半紧张症状态，
Even the much feared puma enters into a semi-catatonic state between wakefulness and sleep,
美洲狮一边打盹，一边随意地监视着周围发生的一切
cat napping while it casually spies on everything happening around it.
午睡时间是猎手和被猎者之间难得的休战时刻
Nap time is a rare moment of truce between hunter and hunted.
一些平原上的流亡者，精疲力竭，体弱多病，到达了河岸森林
Some of the plain's exiles, exhausted and sickly, reach the riparian forest.
美洲狮能看见，却没人看见。它似乎对生病的水豚不太感兴趣
The puma sees and is not seen. It does not appear overly interested in a sick capybara.
然而，这只长腿兀鹰却非常兴奋，也许这是它的幸运日
This caracara, however, is very excited, its lucky day, perhaps.
筋疲力尽的水豚没有到达水里就咽气了
The exhausted capybara breathes its last without reaching the water.
这段旅程让它吃不消
The journey has been too much for it.
像所有的猫一样，美洲狮总是忍♥不住好奇。它下来查看水豚的尸体
Like all cats, the puma cannot help being curious. It comes down to check out the capybara's corpse.
就长腿兀鹰而言，它并没有被打动
For its part, the caracara is not impressed.
在这个困难时期，发现者绝对是守护者
Finders are most definitely keepers in these difficult times.
但是美洲狮并不是特别感兴趣
But the puma is not particularly interested.
因为森林里有充足的食物，如果猫科动物能避开，它就不会吃任何不是自己杀死的东西
With food a plenty in the forest, if the feline can avoid it, it will not eat anything it's not killed itself.
这的确是长腿兀鹰的幸运日，它可以吃饱
It is indeed the caracara's lucky day, and it can eat its fill.
水豚无论如何，在干旱或下雨的时候，都是平原食物链的第一环节
Capybara, one way or another, during drought or rain, are the first link of the food chain of the plains.
水豚，不管它们是活的还是死的，都会和红脚龟分享它们的领地
Capybara, be they alive or dead, share their territory with red-footed turtles.
当爬行动物忙于求偶仪式时，
And when the reptiles are busy with their courtship rituals,
严重的干旱似乎对它们没什么影响
the punishing drought seems to bother them very little.
这些龟的装备很好，可以承受干燥的环境，
These turtles are well equipped to withstand the dry conditions,
因此，尽管许多动物在恶劣的环境中任人摆布，
so while many animals are at the mercy of the inclement conditions,
一只雄性红足龟开始向它选择的雌性求爱
a male red-footed turtle begins the courtship of his chosen female.
它在干燥的土壤中追踪她的踪迹
He follows her trail in the dry soil.
而要赢得雌性的青睐，雄性必须坚持不懈
And to earn the favours of a female, a male must be perseverant.
它将需要部署力量和魅力，以获得进入她的保护外壳最亲密的区域
He will need to deploy both strength and charm to gain access to the most intimate area of her protective shell.
爱在干旱和绝望之间开辟了一条道路，是生命和变革的信息
Love opens a path between drought and hopelessness, a message of life, of change.
经过一番相当大的努力，雄龟来到小溪边凉快一下，重新镇定一下
After such considerable effort, the male turtle goes to the stream to cool off and recompose himself.
水豚、麝雉和其它流亡者似乎也在做着同样的事情
Capybaras, hoatzins, and other exiles seem to be doing the same.
其它小得多的生物，如黄蜂，也需要少量的液体来生存
Other much smaller creatures such as wasps also need their little dose of liquid in order to survive.
黄蜂喝得很快，然后以最快的速度返回巢穴
The wasps drink fast and head back to their nest at top speed.
平原上的生活从不停止
Life on the plains never stops.
黄蜂巢已经满负荷运转，
The wasp nest is at full capacity,
但来来往往是不变的，靠得太近可能很危险
but coming and going is constant, and getting too close might be dangerous.
黄鹂非常清楚这一点，但它们没有避开黄蜂，而是在昆虫的巢穴附近筑巢
Orioles know this very well, but instead of avoiding the wasps, they construct their nests near to those of the insects.
尽管天气炎热，黄鹂也正处于繁殖期，正忙着建造它们精心建造的家园
Despite the heat, the orioles are also in their breeding season and are busy building their elaborately constructed homes.
成对的黄鹂不停地缝补和编织，
The pairs of orioles sew and weave without pause,
除了那些偶尔表演小爱情舞的雄鸟
except for the males who now and then perform their little love dance.
黄蜂的巢穴正好在黄鹂群落的中间，每个物种都受益于相互保护
The wasp nest is right in the middle of the oriole colony, each species benefiting from mutual protection.
一方面，捕食者不敢太靠近鸟巢，另一方面，
On the one hand, predators don't dare to come too close to the bird's nests, and on the other hand,
黄鹂阻止昆虫猎手接近黄蜂的巢穴
the orioles deter insect hunters from approaching the wasp's nest.
这是一个双赢的局面
It's a win-win situation.
虫鸟联合聚居地的喧嚣是另一个征兆，预示着一些事情将要发生改变
The hustle and bustle in the combined insect-bird colony is another omen that something is going to change.
在洛斯大草原，一切都是时间问题
On Los Llanos, everything is a matter of time.
地狱与天堂交替
Hell and heaven alternate.
时钟到达顶点，再一次是改变的时候了
The clock reaches its zenith, and it is once more time for change.
像来自天堂的祝福，雨又回来了
Like a blessing from heaven, the rains return.
无论惩罚有多严厉，它的时间都很突然地结束了
No matter how the hard the punishment has been, its time draws to a close very suddenly
一切又变了
and everything changes again.
诅咒结束了，
The curse comes to an end,
但好戏还在继续
but the drama continues.
平原是美洲最荒凉却又最美丽的栖息地之一，
The plains are one of the harshest yet most beautifulof American habitats,
一片视野无限的土地，在两个极端之间撕裂
a land of infinite horizons torn between two extremes.