The Mediterranean and the coastal waters of North Africa and Western Europe were once home to hundreds of thousands of Mediterranean monk seals.
地中海以及北非和西欧的沿海水域曾经是数十万地中海僧海豹的家园。
These days, just 300 or so remain.
如今,只剩下大约300只。
Over centuries, they have been hunted to the brink of extinction.
几个世纪以来,它们被猎杀到近乎灭绝。
A small colony enjoys the protection of the Desertas Grande conservation area.
一片小殖民地享有德塞塔保护区的保护。
Meal times are followed by a quick power nap.
进食之后是一个短暂的小憩。
A Mediterranean monk seal can spend up to 15 minutes beneath the surface before it has to come up for air.
地中海僧海豹在浮出水面换气之前,可以在水下待上15分钟。
After a few deep breaths, the seal dives down again to continue its afternoon siesta.
几次深呼吸后,海豹再次潜入海底继续午睡。
The only humans to visit Desertas Grande are the researchers who come once a year.
唯一会到德塞塔的人类是一年来一次的研究人员。
The team works quickly as the tide rises.
随着潮水上涨,摄制组迅速行动。
Cameras that can broadcast for 10 months are installed before the start of the mating season.
在交配季节开始前安装的摄像机可以录制10个月。
The monk seals have always been independent creatures.
僧海豹一直是独立的生物。
Their justified fear of humans has made them even more shy and careful,
它们对人类合理的恐惧使它们更加害羞和小心,
and they are now rarely seen along beaches or coastlines, preferring the safety of caves.
现在,人们很少在海滩或海岸线上看到它们,它们更喜欢安全的洞穴。
The cameras are there to observe the seals' mating behavior and to capture a possible population increase
那里的摄像机可以观察海豹的交配行为,并捕捉到可能出现的种群数量增长
without in any way disturbing their subjects.
同时不会打扰到它们。