加湾鼠海豚是世界上最稀有的海洋哺乳动物。一项基因研究显示，这个濒危物种仍有望免于灭绝，尽管野生的加湾鼠海豚总数只剩10来头。

 

The tiny, silvery porpoise¹ known as the vaquita is facing an existential threat from becoming entangled² and killed in fishing nets. And with fewer than a dozen vaquitas left in waters off the coast of Mexico, time is running out to save the species.

这种被称作 “加湾鼠海豚” 的小巧银色鼠海豚正面临被渔网缠住致死的生存威胁。墨西哥海岸附近的水域中只剩下不到12头加湾鼠海豚，拯救这一物种的时间不多了。

 

But now a glimmer³ of hope. A study of DNA⁴ samples obtained over the past few decades suggests the animals are naturally genetically⁵ fitter than expected for such a small population and should be able to bounce back from extinction⁶.

但现在，加湾鼠海豚仍有望免于灭绝。一项对过去几十年来获得的基因样本进行的研究表明，对数量如此稀少的种群来说，加湾鼠海豚的基因比预想得更健康，因此数量应该可以回升，从而免于灭绝。

 

The researchers, based in California, say we now face a choice either to enforce protection measures to save the vaquita or watch the last of the kind die out.

总部位于加利福尼亚州的研究人员说，我们现在面临一个选择：要么采取保护措施拯救加湾鼠海豚，要么眼睁睁地看着最后一头灭绝。

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