与虎同行

于灵爽

又到了纳森（Roberts Nathan James）出发寻虎的日子。虽然已经是早春，但是东北林区似乎还停留在寒冬。纳森是东北林业大学野生动物与自然保护地学院博士研究生，他的研究方向为“老虎与生态系统碳汇的关系”。这位来自英国的留学生早已适应了北国的寒冷天气，他裹上厚厚的羽绒服，和团队一起朝密林进发，寻觅濒危动物——东北虎。

It is time for Nathan to search fortigers again. Although it is already earlyspring， the northeastern forest seems to bestill cold as winter. Roberts Nathan Jamesis a doctoral student at the College ofWildlife and Protected Area of NortheastForestry University. His research focuseson the “relationship between tigers andthe carbon sink of the ecosystem”. Thisinternational student from the UK haslong adapted to the cold weather in NorthChina. Wrapped in thick down jackets，he sets off into the dense forest withhis team， searching for the endangeredanimal — the Manchurian Tiger， alsoknown as the Northeast Tiger in China.

2017 年，怀着对中国文化的热爱和对野生动物保护的热情，纳森来到东北林业大学攻读野生动植物保护与利用专业硕士学位。“我从小就喜欢动物，本科（专业）也是动物保护。在中国，这里的生物多样性更丰富，对我的工作和研究很有帮助。”纳森说。

In 2017， driven by his love for Chinese cultureand passion for wildlife conservation， Nathancame to Northeast Forestry University to pursue amaster’s degree in the conservation and utilizationof wildlife and plants. “I have always loved animalssince I was a child， and I have a Bachelor’s degree inanimal protection. China has a greater biodiversity，which is very helpful for my work and research，”Nathan said.

為了更好地加强大型猫科动物野外种群及栖息地保护和管理，纳森不畏恶劣的天气、艰苦的条件，多次前往珲春东北虎国家级自然保护区、东北虎豹国家公园等地，钻入深山密林实地开展研究。一张张表格、一条条数据记录下了他的付出。

In order to better strengthen the protection andmanagement of large felid populations and theirhabitats in the wild， Nathan， undeterred by harshweather and difficult conditions， has repeatedlyvisited places such as Hunchun State-Level NatureReserve for Northeast Tigers and Northeast ChinaTiger and Leopard National Park， delving into deepmountain forests to conduct Theld research. Sheets offorms and rows of data have witnessed his eThorts.

寻觅东北虎是件苦差事，纳森和同学们常常要在深至膝盖的雪地里蹚上一天。“这可能就是东北虎的脚印！”行至密林深处，纳森边拍照边指着一串拳头大小、形似梅花的雪地脚印做起科普。

Searching for the Manchurian Tiger is a toughjob. Nathan and his classmates oThen have to wadethrough knee-deep snow for a whole day. “Thismight be the footprint of a Manchurian tiger！”When they reach deep into the dense forest，Nathan takes photos while explaining the sciencebehind a series of fist-sized， snow footprintsresembling plum blossoms.

“东北虎种群能够长期、稳定地繁衍，意味着栖息地生态健康、连通、面积大，且当地生物丰富、食物链完整。”纳森介绍说，东北虎的生存状态反映着区域生态系统的动态，保护东北虎这一食物链顶端的猎食者，也是在保护生物多样性，改善生态环境。

“The ability of the Manchurian Tigerpopulation to reproduce stably and in the longterm indicates a ecologically healthy， accessible，and large enough habitat with abundant localbiodiversity and intact food chains，” Nathanexplained. According to him， the survival statusof the Manchurian Tiger reflects the dynamicsof the regional ecosystem， and protecting the toppredator of this food chain not only safeguardsbiodiversity but also improves the ecologicalenvironment.

从“完达山1 号”东北虎在密山市临湖村出现，到黑河市发现国家珍稀濒危一级保护植物紫点杓兰，再到国家一级保护动物東方白鹳在嘟噜河湿地安家……珍贵稀有的野生动植物在黑龙江省频频“现身”，这无疑给纳森的研究注入了一针“强心剂”。

From the appearance of the “WandashanNo.1” Manchurian Tiger in Linhu Village， MishanCity， to the discovery of the Spotted Lady’sSlipper Orchid， a first-class state-level rare andendangered protected plant， and to the settlementof the Oriental White Stork， a first-class statelevelprotected animal， in the Dulu Riverwetland， now precious and rare wildlife is morefrequently spotted in Heilongjiang Province. Thisundoubtedly is a “stimulant” to Nathan.

在纳森看来，地球上的生物不可能独立生存，生态系统的健康非常重要。所以，保护野生动物就是维护生态平衡，也是在保护人类自己。In Nathan’s view， it is impossible fororganisms on Earth to survive without a healthyecosystem. Therefore， protecting wildlife is notonly about maintaining ecological balance butalso about protecting humanity itself.

当然，对纳森来说，他来到黑龙江之后不但学习研究有了方向，更重要的是，这里让他有了家一般的归属感。

Of course， for Nathan， coming to Heilongjiangmeans more than finding a research direction.More importantly， he has found a home， having asense of belonging.

纳森说：“我在中国很舒服。如果碰到问题，老师们、同学们、朋友们都非常乐意帮助我。黑龙江真的非常美，我喜欢这里，喜欢这里的雪和美景。我愿意一直留在这里，为保护野生动物出一份力！”

Nathan said， “I feel very comfortable inChina. If I encounter any problems， my teachers，classmates， and friends are all ready to helpme. Heilongjiang is really beautiful， I love ithere， I love the snow and the beautiful scenery.I am willing to stay here and contribute to theprotection of wildlife！”