thermostat 復習

　米国テネシー州のノックスヴィル動物園の爬虫類エリアで、33匹ものヘビが死んでいるのが発見されました。原因は未だ解明されていません。

33 reptiles found dead at Knoxville zoo; cause is unknown

Thirty-three reptiles were found dead last week at the Knoxville zoo, and officials there say they have no clues yet about how it happened.

Zoo Knoxville told local news outlets that nearly all of the dead animals were snakes. They were all found dead in the reptile area. Surviving animals were removed and given oxygen.

Zoo officials have stopped using the reptile area for animals while the deaths are investigated.

Zoo Knoxville President and CEO Lisa New calls the deaths a "devastating and catastrophic loss."

Director of animal collections Phil Colclough says tests being conducted include checking for harmful gases in the building and for mechanical errors on thermostats.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/33-reptiles-found-dead-knoxville-zoo-unknown-46388021

　記事の中で気になった単語は"thermostat"です。

　"thermo"が付いているので「温度」や「熱」に関する語だと予想できます。『ジーニアス英和辞典』第４版（大修館）で調べてみると、「サーモスタット、温度自動調整器」とありました。LDOCEでは、"an instrument used for keeping a room or a machine at a particular temperature"と表現されています。

　原因究明のため、織の中の空気に有毒ガスが含まれていなかったか、自動温度調整器に不具合が無かったかどうかの調査を進めるとのことです。(Akim)