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前回に引き続き、オーストラリアとニュージーランドの野生生物（wildlife）についての会話をお届けします。珍しくてかわいい動物が多い一方で、人間に害を及ぼす種も存在するようです。ここでは、これらの国を訪れる時に注意しておくべき植物や鳥の名前が登場します。

（初級〜中級）*** It's a Good Expression ***

（今回の重要表現）

venomous

有毒の

to sting

刺す

mosquito（蚊）は日本語では「刺す」が、英語ではbite。

excruciating

強烈な

anti-venoms

解毒剤

straight away

すぐに（right away）

predators

捕食者

*** Script ***

Wildlife in Australia and New Zealand (Part 2)

W: On the topic of things that may kill you in Australia, did you know there are even plants you have to be careful of?

M: Plants? Cute little plants? As long as you don't eat a bad one, how much damage can a plant do to a human?

W: Well, there is this plant called a Gympie Gympie. It is probably the world's most venomous plant! It looks like an ordinary plant, but if you touch it, it stings you so badly the pain can last for months or even years! And it is said to be excruciating!

M: Wow, Australia sounds really scary!

W: But nowadays there are lots of anti-venoms, so even if you get bitten or stung by something you will probably be OK if you go to a doctor straight away.

M: What about New Zealand? What kind of dangers are there in New Zealand?

W: Actually, in New Zealand we don't really have the kind of dangerous animals that Australia does. In fact, New Zealand is known for our national bird, the kiwi. It's such a cute, harmless, flightless bird; if we actually had any predators, the kiwi would be extinct by now for sure!

M: Wow, the wildlife in New Zealand and Australia sounds so different!

W: Yeah, it really is! If you go to New Zealand, the animal you should really watch out for is a bird called a kea.

M: A bird? Does it attack people?

W: Not quite … it prefers to attack cars!

M: Ha ha! Cars?!

W: Yeah, they love the rubber of cars! If you park your car somewhere to go on a hike or check out a waterfall or something like that, when you come back you may find that parts of your car have been destroyed by a kea!

M: Oh no!

(Written by Anna Mace)