Hi Ded1, no-one thinks you are rude, in fact it is refreshing to have someone ask politely for permission.
The moderator team is made up of Martin Thoene, Graeme Robson, Jim Powers, Mark in Vancouver, cybermeez, Shari2, Mad Duff and myself (these names are available on the Community part of the site). Given that it is quite late here, you may not get replies from everyone straight away, but I am sure they will answer.
I think some of this thread was a little 'lost in translation'

. If the species profiles were not translated word for word, I'm sure there really couldn't be a problem. With regards to the actual longer Articles, if you approach the individual author (it should say 'Credit: whoever' at the beginning of each article) by PM, I'm sure most people would be willing to oblige, provided that credit etc is given (like you have proposed). But that will be up to the individual authors of the articles.
Emma