美麗的圣托里尼島長年游人如織。要遍覽島上風(fēng)光，必然要爬上高高的石階路，很多游客都會用驢子來代步，這也是島上的一項傳統(tǒng)。然而近年來肥胖游客數(shù)量暴增，導(dǎo)致驢子脊椎受傷，皮開肉綻。在動物保護(hù)組織的呼吁下，驢子的困境受到了全世界的關(guān)注，迫使希臘當(dāng)局發(fā)布新規(guī)，禁止超過200斤的肥胖游客在圣托里尼島騎驢。

Greece has banned obese tourists from riding donkeys after animal rights campaigners said the creatures were being left with spinal injuries and open wounds.

希臘已禁止肥胖游客騎驢，因為動物權(quán)益保護(hù)者指出，這些游客給驢子造成了脊柱損傷和開放性創(chuàng)傷。

After images of donkeys climbing the narrow steps of the Greek island of Santorini laden down by large holidaymakers hit the headlines worldwide, lawmakers in the country have now pledged to do more to help the animals.

驢子馱著肥胖游客攀登希臘圣托里尼島上狹窄石階的照片登上了世界各地的媒體頭條，迫使希臘立法者承諾采取更多行動來保護(hù)這些動物。

The Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food has published a new set of regulations regarding donkeys' well-being after receiving multiple complaints following media coverage in July.

七月份媒體曝光此事后，希臘農(nóng)村發(fā)展和食品部收到大量投訴，之后該部門針對驢子們的健康發(fā)布了一系列新法規(guī)。

These state that donkeys giving tourists rides in Santorini should not carry any loads heavier than 100kg or one fifth of their weight.

新法規(guī)指出，圣托里尼島的載客驢不應(yīng)該背負(fù)超過100公斤或自身體重五分之一的重量。

The move comes after animal activists on the island claimed with obesity on the rise, donkeys were being forced to carry ever-heavier loads while working long hours, seven days a week without shelter, rest and water - leaving them with spinal injuries and open wounds from ill-fitting saddles.

此前島上的動物維權(quán)者聲稱，隨著游客肥胖率的提高，驢的負(fù)荷也被迫加重，與此同時，驢還要長時間勞作，每周七天，沒有遮蔽、沒有休息和水，這會導(dǎo)致驢的脊柱受傷，并因鞍具不合適產(chǎn)生撕裂性傷口。

The government bulletin states: 'The owners of working equidae should ensure that the animals' level of health is high. There should also be disinfection materials in their living quarters and workstations.

政府的公告上寫道：“役用馬科動物的主人應(yīng)確保動物保持良好的健康水平。在它們的居所和工作站內(nèi)應(yīng)有消毒物品?！?/p>

'Under no circumstances should animals unfit for work be used, i.e., ill animals, the injured, animals in an advanced pregnancy as well as animals with poor maintenance of hooves.

“絕對不能驅(qū)使不適合勞作的動物去勞動，這些情況包括生病受傷、快要產(chǎn)仔以及蹄子受損?！?/p>

'The animals should be given appropriate and adequate food and fresh drinking water daily, into containers which cannot be contaminated and are cleaned at least once a day.

“每天都應(yīng)給予動物充分適當(dāng)?shù)氖澄锖托迈r飲用水，食槽應(yīng)保持干凈無污染，每天至少清潔一次。”

'Working equines should not be loaded with excessive weight for their size, age or physical condition. The load cannot exceed the weight of 100kg, or one fifth of their body weight.'

“勞作的馬科動物不能背負(fù)超出自身體型、年齡或體能所能承受的重量。負(fù)重不能超過100公斤，或其自重的五分之一?！?/p>

Santorini is known for its hilly terrain and donkeys have traditionally been used to transport people over the famously stepped areas which vehicles cannot access, such as in capital Fira.

圣托里尼島以丘陵地貌聞名，傳統(tǒng)上用驢子載游客登上那些車輛無法通過的著名石階區(qū)，比如首府費拉的一些地區(qū)。

In June, charities there claimed the explosion of fat tourists meant locals who are keen to get the most out of their animals were being forced to crossbreed the animals to create mules, which are bigger and taller and can carry heavier loads with more stamina.

今年六月，當(dāng)?shù)氐膭游锎壬茩C(jī)構(gòu)稱，肥胖游客數(shù)量的暴增促使那些剝削動物的當(dāng)?shù)厝擞皿H和馬雜交出更高大的騾子，可以馱更重的東西，耐力更持久。

Elisavet Chatzi, 45, a volunteer from Athens who participated in a peaceful protest in Santorini over donkeys' treatment there earlier this year, said: 'It's a very big step, I think all our hard work has paid off.

來自雅典的45歲志愿者伊里沙維特·查特奇說：“這是很大的進(jìn)步，我認(rèn)為我們的辛苦工作有了回報?！辈樘仄嬖诮衲暝缧r候參加了圣托尼里島的一次反對虐待驢子的和平抗議。

'The situation in Santorini has been going on for many years and it cannot be resolved in one day.

“圣托里尼島的這種情況已經(jīng)持續(xù)多年了，不可能一天就解決?！?/p>

'We have won our fight because of the international media attention on the topic. No one could ever believe that new regulations would be set.

“我們贏得了斗爭的勝利，因為國際媒體關(guān)注到了這個話題。我們從來沒想過會專門為此制定新規(guī)。”

'The next day after the bulletin was released, I was told a tourist had been carried up the hill by three different donkeys, so as not to exhaust them...'

“在公告發(fā)布的第二天，我聽說有一名游客被三頭不同的驢馱上了山，目的是不讓驢精疲力盡……”

But other campaigners allege that despite the reminder, nothing has changed on the island and there is still a long way to go.

不過其他動物保護(hù)者聲稱，盡管出了法規(guī)，島上的一切都沒有改變，動物保護(hù)依然是路漫漫其修遠(yuǎn)兮。

Maria Skourta, 42, the leader of the Athens branch of Direct Action Everywhere, claims: 'We were content with the bulletin because the purpose of our organisation is to bring matters to light and initiate conversation.

動物保護(hù)組織“任何地方直接行動”的雅典分部領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人、42歲的瑪莉亞·斯考塔表示：“我們對公告的結(jié)果感到滿意，是因為我們組織的目的是揭露問題，發(fā)起對話。”

'But our goal is not to improve the lives of slaves, it's to free them entirely.

“但我們的目的不是改善被奴役牲口的生活，而是徹底解放它們?！?/p>

'[While this means they will stop carrying obese tourists], the donkeys are still forced to carry cement, appliances, and all sorts of heavy weights.'

“（雖然新法規(guī)意味著驢子不用駝肥胖游客了，）可它們依然要被迫馱水泥、器具和各種沉重的物品。”

英文來源：每日郵報

翻譯&編輯：丹妮