Vanishing Breed1)

European mink2) once thrived3) along waterways throughout most of Europe．The fur of this small mammal is soft and beautiful．But some people believed the fur of its relative the American mink was more desirable．Fur farmers released thousands of American mink in eastern Europe，and they spread throughout Europe．In the wild，American mink chased the other species away from the best hunting grounds．Now just a few hundred European mink remain――making them Europe's most endangered mammal4)．To save the mink，scientists are establishing a breeding population of them on an island in the BALTIC SEA．Without help，says David Macdonald of Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit in England，the European mink is"heading for5) extinction6)．"

逐渐消失的物种

欧洲鼬曾经很兴旺，遍布于欧洲大部分水域。这种小哺乳动物的皮毛柔软漂亮。但有些人认为它的皮毛不及其亲属美洲鼬可取。皮毛经营者在东欧放养了数以千计的美洲鼬，这些美洲鼬迅速遍及欧洲。在野外，美洲鼬将其他鼬种从最好的猎区逐出。目前只有几百只欧洲鼬存活---这使它们成为欧洲最濒于灭绝的哺乳动物。为拯救欧洲鼬，科学家在波罗地海的一个岛上建立了饲养种群基地。英国牛津大学野生物种保护团体的戴维•麦克唐纳说，如不挽救，欧洲鼬"将要灭绝"。

NOTE 注释：

1. breed n. 物种, 种类

2. mink n. 鼬（尤指水貂）

3. hrive v. 兴旺, 繁荣

4. mammal n. 哺乳动物

5. head for 导致

6. extinction n. 消失, 消灭
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