◎魏國金
Conservationists in Tanzania are using an unorthodox way of keeping elephants from wandering into human settlements - by throwing condoms filled with chilli powder at them.
坦尚尼亞的保育人士正利用一種非傳統方式，避免大象闖進人類的居住處──將裝滿辣椒粉的保險套扔向牠們。
The method has proved effective and Honeyguide Foundation, which hit upon the idea several years ago, with U.S.-based Nature Conservancy has stepped up its promotion, training volunteers in villages in north Tanzania to use a non-violent four-step way of protecting their homes and crops without hurting the animals. Previously many used spears to defend themselves.
這種方式證明有效，數年前突發此奇想的「響蜜鴷基金會」與位於美國的「大自然保護協會」已加強推廣，訓練北坦尚尼亞村落的義工，利用非暴力的4步驟方式，保護家園與農作，而不必傷害動物。此前，許多人以矛自保。
The first two steps involve shining a torch at the trespassing elephant and sounding a horn. If it is not deterred, a so-called "chilli cloud" is thrown.
前面2個步驟是對誤闖的大象照射手電筒，並吹喇叭。若仍無法嚇阻，就扔出所謂的「辣椒雲」。
Chilli powder mixed with soil is packed with a firecracker into a condom, its end is twisted shut with just the fuse exposed. When lit, the condom bursts open with a bang, spraying a fine dust of chilli powder into the air. One whiff is usually enough to send an elephant the other way.
辣椒粉混合砂土，與鞭炮裝進一只保險套內，然後搓扭其末端，與露出的引線閉合。點燃後，保險套猛然炸開，並發出巨響，辣椒粉塵在空中噴散。一陣氣味過後，通常就足以讓大象改道而行。
A last resort is a launcher that shoots a Roman candle firework into the air, producing a loud, bright explosion.
最後手段則是一台發射器，它可以對空射出一枚羅馬焰火筒，製造響亮燦爛的爆炸。
新聞辭典
unorthodox：非正統的、異端的。例句：Her English is somewhat unorthodox.（她的英文有點不太正統。）
hit upon（on）：突然想到、碰到或發現。例句：I hit on this interesting book in a small bookstore.（我在一家小書店偶然發現這本有趣的書。）
fine dust：粉塵、細塵。例句：The fine dust pollution rises in urban and suburban areas.（細塵污染在城市與郊區升高。）
宏浩翻譯引用自http://iservice.ltn.com.tw/Service/english/english.php?engno=1038865&day=2016-10-05
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