English/BBC Documentary

Frozen Planet - E1 to the end of the earth S4

John.Cho 2012. 9. 1. 18:00

It seems that courting polar bears prefer privacy, often leaving the sea ice 


and heading for the hills to avoid the prying eyes of rival males who might disturb them.


Few have witnessed this moment. For the male, his only tender encounter in an otherwise solitary life.


But it doesn’t last long… a rival suitor has also caught the female’s scent.


Courtship has to be put on hold. He must fight for his rights.


He sees off this first challenger without injury to either party, but bloodier battles are to come.


Another battle won, though he has been slightly injured.


He hurries back to his mate, but now she seems to have lost her enthusiasm.


Female polar bears are high-maintenance.


Wherever she goes, he will follow, mating with her when she allows and guarding her at all times.


Over the next two weeks, the male sees off many rivals but the battles take their toll on him.


He is almost spent, but he has ensured that no other bears have mated with his female.


It’s time for the couple to go their separate ways.


She will give birth to his cubs, alone, in nine months’ time and he may never see her again.


He returns to the frozen ocean, no doubt relieved to resume his solitary ways, and just in time.


The ice beneath his feet will soon be gone.


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1. '...에게 피해를 주다'는 take a toll on. 명사 toll은 '특정한 기간 내에 발생한 피해'를 의미한다. 예문을 본다.

 

toll (1) (재해 따위의) 대가, 희생

Natural disasters have taken a heavy human and economic toll on the region. 자연 재해는 이 지역에 많은 인적, 경제적 손실을 가져왔다.

Hunger takes a grim toll on the shanty towns. 기아로 판자촌에 참담한 피해가 나고 있다.