News: 獨角鯨北極破冰遷徙 首度曝光

新聞中的獨角鯨, 有時候在書中會翻譯成一角鯨。分類上, 一角鯨科(Family Monodontidae)只有兩種, 除了一角鯨(Narwhal), 另一種就是 海生館 有的白鯨(Beluga)。一角鯨只有成年雄鯨才會長出具有螺旋紋路的長角, 實際上是特化的牙齒。


These stunning images of narwhals are taken from the forthcoming BBC series Nature's Great Events. Picture: BBC


The mammals have been caught for the first time on camera smashing through the arctic ice during the spring thaw. Picture: BBC


The first episode of the series concentrates on the melt and features other animals... Picture: BBC

獨角鯨北極破冰遷徙 首度曝光

中時電子報 2009/02/09 記者潘勛 綜合報導
原始新聞連結

北極圈稀奇動物「獨角鯨」，會在春天冰層融化時，成群遷徙覓食。「英國廣播公司」（BBC） 最近拍攝節目時，捕捉到這種珍貴畫面，讓世人更加了解獨角鯨。專家表示，地球暖化，北極圈生態丕變，對獨角鯨存活影響之大，只怕更甚於對北極熊。

BBC 拍攝《自然大事件》（Nature's Great Events）節目時，由空中拍攝到成群的獨角鯨，由冰層的窄窄間隙尋路而過，進行危險的春季遷徙，牠們自格陵蘭島西岸首途向北，去尋找食物。

英國《每日電訊報》七日報導，科學界從事的新研究也指出，北極圈氣候發生變化，獨角鯨的適應力恐怕比北極熊還差；若沒有冰層遮蔽，獨角鯨要對付掠食者以及其他鯨類的競爭，便更為能無力。

美國西雅圖「華盛頓大學」極圈生物學家賴德表示，獨角鯨生存的地點十分偏遠，所以要進行研究很困難，科學界仍不清楚牠們是如何勉力找到冰層中的破孔；北極冰層每一年裂開的方式都不盡相同，但獨角鯨卻能算準遷徙的時機。

獨角鯨組成團隊，成為向北遷徙的先鋒；隨著春季溫度漸漸上升，和風開始吹裂遼闊的海上冰層，獨角鯨便到達牠們夏日的覓食場地，即加拿大努勒維特省蘭開斯特海峽（Lancaster Sound）的海灣與峽灣。

目前有數千頭獨角鯨正踏上年度之旅，沿著海冰的窄窄渠道而行，牠們以廿隻或卅隻為團隊，隊形完美，偶爾浮上表面呼吸空氣。偶爾渠道凍住，獨角鯨群只好更往前游，找尋開孔處，不然就會溺死。

獨角鯨突出的尖刺，其實不是頭上的角，而是嘴中太長的門牙，每根長牙可賣到數千英鎊，據說前英國女王伊莉莎白一世便花了一大筆錢，買得一根，作為權杖。

Wikipedia: Nature's Great Events

News: Taiwan protesters condemn China

Original BBC News Link


Former Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian was cheered by marchers

Tens of thousands of pro-independence Taiwanese have demonstrated against China, accusing President Ma Ying-jeou of failing to stand up to Beijing.

The opposition marchers in Taipei highlighted a recent scare over dairy products in China, and accused Taiwan's government of playing down the issue.

Relations between China and Taiwan have improved dramatically since Mr Ma came to power in May promising closer ties.

China still regards Taiwan as part of its territory.

The two have been separately governed since the end of a civil war in 1949.

The previous Taiwanese government, led by the Democratic Progressive Party (DDP), had antagonised Beijing with its pro-independence agenda.

Visit from the mainland

During Saturday's march, organised by the DPP, protesters shouted such slogans as: "Opposing toxic products, defending sovereignty."

At least three babies have died in Chaina's tainted milk powder scandal and many more have been taken ill.

Former Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, also of the DPP, joined the marchers and was cheered by the crowd.

The demonstration comes nine days before a planned visit by Chen Yunlin, Beijing's top negotiator on Taiwanese affairs.

The two sides are expected to discuss new direct flights and food safety.
　

August 30, 2008 in Taiwan

BBC: Huge rally against Taiwan leader
Thousands of opposition supporters have taken to the streets in Taiwan in protest over President Ma Ying-jeou's first 100 days in office.

馬政府五二○上任以來，政經措施一味傾中，台灣主權頻遭矮化，民生經濟空前困窘。台灣社等民間團體因此選在昨天舉行「百日怒吼．全民站出來」八三○大遊行，東西兩路並進，表達「顧腹肚、護主權、要陽光」的訴求，隊伍最後在凱道會師，人潮塞爆景福門周邊道路，展現了嗆馬的沛然氣勢。