For over two centuries, a herd of goats mysteriously survived on Santa Bárbara Island, one of the five volcanic islands that make up the Abrolhos archipelago, about 70 kilometers off the coast of Bahia in Brazil. With no rivers or lakes, scientists remain confused: How did these animals thrive in such extreme dryness?

It’s not clear how exactly the goats originally wound up on Santa Bárbara, but scientists believe colonizers brought goats to the island around 250 years ago as a backup food supply. When settlements failed, the goats were abandoned. Surprisingly, they not only survived but multiplied on the harsh, wind-swept island. Over time, their growing numbers damaged the fragile ecosystem. They ate native plants and disturbed the nesting grounds of seven seabird species.

To protect the island’s biodiversity, Brazil’s Chico Mendes Institute (ICMBio) began relocating the goats in 2023. The final 27 animals were removed. “If their population hadn’t been controlled, they would have taken over the entire island and self-destructed,” explained Erismar Rocha, director of the Abrolhos Marine Park. However, the animals were not eradicated (根除) because scientists want to study them. 

Remarkably, in all the years that scientists studied the mysterious goats of Santa Bárbara, they never once saw them drinking water, which begs the question, “How did they survive there for over two centuries?” At this point, experts can only speculate. Some believe that the goats may have adapted to drinking seawater and that this behavior was passed on to subsequent generations, while others credit beldroega, a plant with a high water content found on Santa Bárbara, for the animals’ survival.

But the goats of Santa Bárbara weren’t just surviving there, they were thriving. Researchers reported that most of the births on the island were twin births, which suggests that the goats were “well nourished and healthy”. By studying the goats of Santa Bárbara Island, Brazilian scientists hope to uncover the secret to their extreme resilience, which could help develop new breeds better suited to survive the challenges of climate change and adapt in dry areas, such as northeastern Brazil.  

原创编写 版权所有 侵权必究！ 每日更新 个性化阅读 英语飙升！

1. 1. What can be concluded about the environmental conditions on Santa Bárbara Island?

A    It is covered with plants.

B    It is dry all year round.

C    It is always rainy and humid.

D    It is full of mysterious creatures.

2. 2. Why were the goats relocated in 2023?

A    The goats carried dangerous diseases.

B    Scientists needed them for research.

C    Their presence endangered local wildlife.

D    The island lacked enough plants.

3. 3. What does the underlined word “speculate” probably mean?

A    Identify.

B    Imagine.

C    Picture.

D    Guess.

4. 4. What is the primary purpose of studying the goats on Santa Bárbara Island?

A    To identify their water source.

B    To stop them from increasing in numbers.

C    To help other animals adapt to climate change.

D    To develop new breeds suitable for rainless regions.