Chapter 54: Chapter 54 Life is hard, the fox weeps
"Director, what exactly happened?"
Fang Ye narrated the story, "That day, the security called me, and I asked him what had happened. He told me there were two suspicious individuals, and after hearing that, 'snap,' I stood up immediately, very quickly!
When I got to the door, oh! I saw two young men, one with a face full of Mazi, one with a shifty gaze, asking comrade, could they please enter the office building to use the restroom? A random question, but it wasn't random at all. They were looking to scout the office building—it looked like they came prepared.
I said no, only employees can enter this office building. I kept them all out!"
"That night, I hid with a few staff members, ready for a surprise attack. In the wee hours, a tiger thief sneaked into the nursery, and our animal keepers suddenly struck. With a kick to the door, a loud shout, and a flash of a camera! He was scared out of his wits—the crowbar clanged to the floor.
By the traditional rules of catching thieves, he had already lost. Unwilling to accept it, he thought we ambushed him. He jumped out the window, but no worries! I smiled because I had a clever plan; the window was purposefully left open, with men waiting in the bushes below.
Charcoal bit him hard, he was careless, didn't dodge, and immediately started crying, covering his eyes saying stop, stop. I asked what was wrong, and he apologized, admitting he came to steal the White Tiger.
I told him it's not good for young people to disregard the law, attempting to steal and snatch our month-old White Tiger cub. This is not good. I advised the young people to behave properly! To not commit such impulsive, illegal acts again and to reflect properly in jail."
The netizens laughed until they sprayed!
"Hahaha! Now that's some vivid imagery."
"Show off, show off, Director, you're like the reincarnation of a showman—all the way to the family home."
"The way you tell it with such cadence is even more exciting than storytelling!"
"Stupid tiger thief got utterly played!"
Fang Ye stopped joking and said seriously, "We were actually quite lucky this time. We had a new security guard who was very alert and noticed something suspicious; otherwise, it would have been hard to imagine what fate Ice Cake would have faced.
According to the police interrogation, the tiger thief admitted that after the theft, the plan was to sell the tiger to a boss as a pet, and if that failed, even the tiger's skin might be sold."
"Oh my, that's terrifying and frightening."
"Truly fortunate!"
"So, one of the most important things we've been doing these past few days at the zoo is installing surveillance, improving our security measures. If anyone thinks of sneaking in to steal a tiger in the dead of night like this time, the staff would immediately receive an alarm."
Fang Ye said, "Aside from that disruption, the main good news today is that the red panda exhibit and the red fox exhibit are completed! We'll be moving them into their new homes soon."
"Can't wait! The new enclosures must be much nicer."
"Of course, they are."
While chatting, the group quickly arrived at the red fox enclosure.
They took a metal cage from the operation area, ready to load several red foxes inside.
However, with so many animal keepers entering the red fox enclosure at the same time, carrying a big metal cage, the foxes seemed a bit panicked.
The timid Youyou trembled with fear, huddling with the prince in a corner, playing dead. Even the most affectionate Sugar Pack, looking over here, seemed hesitant to come closer. With its head down, the poor thing "whimpered" softly twice.
"Ahhhhhhhh!!!!"
Xiaoqiao stood in front of her siblings with her back fur standing on end, eyes emitting a cold light, baring her sharp teeth, and let out a fierce warning growl as if to say, if any of you come over here, I'll bite!
This was the difficulty with animal transport in cages.
The red foxes hadn't undergone the proper desensitization training, and now a big, noisy move to the cage caused an immediate stress response in them, accustomed to their daily life in the enclosure. Xiaoqiao even showed high levels of aggression.
According to the traditional zoo rules, at this point, they would launch a tranquilizer dart, a surprise attack.
When the animals woke up, they would find the deed done, their location changed.
Or they would be fully geared for protection, banging drums and clashing gongs, scaring the animals into a frenzied run, eventually cornering them with no escape, capturing them for the cage.
However, Fang Ye didn't want to use either method. First, they weren't animal-friendly; tranquilizer darts weren't completely safe, not to mention the drums and gongs which were extremely harmful for delivering conservation education.
Too violent.
Online viewers watched and thought, wasn't it all about peaceful coexistence with animals? Apparently, harmony was only superficial.
Even the animal keepers were at a loss what to do; they all turned their gaze towards Fang Ye.
Realizing the mistake, Fang Ye waved towards Meng Shi, "You go out first. Those muscles of yours are too intimidating; they've scared all the cuties."
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Meng Shi: ???
Just now you were praising me as worth three of any other.
Indeed, after Meng Shi left, Xiaoqiao's back wasn't so tensed up, and her calls were no longer so fierce.
Observing the situation, Fang Ye continued to wave his hand, "Lan Li can stay, everyone else, please leave for now."
The red foxes seemed somewhat relieved. Youyou stood up rather gracelessly, shook herself, and the floor beneath her was clearly damp. Prince on the other hand showed a very human-like look of disdain, bared his teeth, glanced at her, and sauntered away.
Sugar Pack came running, whining pitifully, with a hint of tears blurring her eyes.
Dear Director, why so many of you came today and brought iron cages? I'm so scared! Did I do something wrong?
Fang Ye hugged her tenderly, held Sugar Pack's neck, and kissed her forehead, "Good child, it's okay, nothing's wrong, we're just moving you to a new home."
"Whimper, whimper, whimper."
He let Sugar Pack's cheek rest against his chest and kept stroking her to soothe her emotions until she truly calmed down.
"Why do I feel like crying just looking at this?"
"Maybe the fox thinks it's going to die if it gets caught, that's why it's crying."
"Even though I know the director won't hurt them, it still feels so heartbreaking."
"Whimper, whimper, whimper, my heart aches for them!"
Fang Ye gently picked up Sugar Pack and placed her inside the iron cage, petting her head, "It's okay, you'll be able to come out soon."
And Sugar Pack showed her trust in him by not making a sound and lying down obediently.
Next was Youyou.
Watching him approach, she again planned to play dead on the ground.
Perhaps seeing that Sugar Pack was in no danger, or feeling that resistance was futile against overwhelming strength, she hesitated then allowed Fang Ye to pick her up.
She adopted another strategy, extending her pink tongue to gently lick Fang Ye's palm, while she occasionally raised her head to look at him cautiously.
I'm such a cute and lovely little lady; do you really have the heart to hurt me?
"Quite cunning," Fang Ye said with a laugh as he pinched Youyou's ears, placing her with Sugar Pack.
When it was time to catch Prince, the usually laziest among them started panting heavily, dragging his round body to run.
But after just one lap, he couldn't run anymore - the result of lacking daily exercise.
When picked up, he closed his eyes and squeaked feebly a couple of times.
Do what you must, at worst I die; in a year's time, I, a noble fox spirit, will be a fine fox again!
But I really hate to leave those delicious apples, I haven't had my fill yet...
Although no longer resisting, the tremors in his shaking limbs indicated he was still very scared.