It was one of those days that everyone dreaded. A cherished favourite of the Zoo needed to be separated from the group. She was being transferred to another animal zoo park. None of the staff enjoyed these events but it had to be done, in the most sensitive and careful way to lessen the trauma to the creature.
Careful thought had to be given to the ones that will stay behind. The rest of the group would be traumatised, if the task was not performed carefully. The group dynamics would be destroyed and it had taken them years to develop.
There is an understandable tension among the staff. Emotions were running high but they were focused on their task. They tell themselves it is for the best. It is for the creature's welfare and for the greater benefit of the zoo park.
The keepers have known this dear old lady for decades. She is a favourite with the keepers and the visiting public alike. They have been endlessly amused and entertained by her antics, her tricks and playful manner. One of her most mischievous tricks is to throw her food at the visitors when they appear. They would run screaming in all directions, not knowing what was happening. What fun this was for the onlookers.
The team gathered nervously outside her den and moved quietly forward. They must not make her aware that they are stalking her or she will bolt and become aggressive. If this happens then the game was up. She was a cautious creature with a long memory and once they had abused her trust, then there was no going back.
The dart gun and blow-pipe were loaded. It had been decided that if they had only one shot at this then they would need to be sure. A pincer movement meant that one or other shooter would get a clear shot. Their quarry was patrolling up and down warily inside her den but she had not detected their presence. The tension was almost painful.
Suddenly their was a crack and the dart hit its target, her ample rump. She had devoured a large part of the food budget of the zoo park, across the years. Now she was thrashing around betrayed, shocked and furious. Soon she was staggering and growing very unsteady. It was not long before she went down with a terrible crash but even then she was still protesting with loud indignant screams and clawing at the walls.
Ten minutes passed before anyone in the capture team dared enter her den. If she woke suddenly and had them cornered in the den, the unfortunate victim would be hacked to pieces before they had time to escape. Proceeding with exaggerated caution one brave member gave her a little kick as she lay sprawled on the floor. She was unconscious but still looked menacing. It was time for the team to move and move quickly.
The sleepy old lady needed to be carried to the waiting truck and secured for travel. She had a long journey ahead of her and they wanted her to arrive safe and sound. They also had a big responsibility to consider the safety of the truck driver and the general public, in transit gloria. She needed to be very secure but well secured. Food and water were in place in the truck and she was being dragged and roughly manhandled across the yard and into the truck. It appeared somewhat unseemly and undignified for an old dowager to be treated this way.
There was an emotional send off when the truck finally moved out of the yard. Some of the keepers were tearful and the visitors that had gathered were unsure what was happening but took pictures anyway, just in case. It wasn't real unless they had a picture of it. The look in the driver's face as he left was of fear and apprehension for the journey ahead. He was concerned that she would awake from her slumber to soon and claw her way through the cab to him. He was driving his worst nightmare.
As for the zoo park staff, the good news for them was that they now anticipated a new arrival, to replace their old friend. A newcomer to the zoo park. Fresh faced and full of fun, no doubt. Bringing with her, her own set of mischievous ways, comic antics and playful tricks. She would bring fresh blood and new breeding stock into the group.
It was late and everyone felt suddenly very tired. The adrenalin was wearing off now. It had been a difficult day. Full of mixed emotions. Thankfully not everyday is like this. Occasionally a tough job came along and this was a tough job but the tough got it together and did it. Somebody had to.
Careful thought had to be given to the ones that will stay behind. The rest of the group would be traumatised, if the task was not performed carefully. The group dynamics would be destroyed and it had taken them years to develop.
There is an understandable tension among the staff. Emotions were running high but they were focused on their task. They tell themselves it is for the best. It is for the creature's welfare and for the greater benefit of the zoo park.
The keepers have known this dear old lady for decades. She is a favourite with the keepers and the visiting public alike. They have been endlessly amused and entertained by her antics, her tricks and playful manner. One of her most mischievous tricks is to throw her food at the visitors when they appear. They would run screaming in all directions, not knowing what was happening. What fun this was for the onlookers.
The team gathered nervously outside her den and moved quietly forward. They must not make her aware that they are stalking her or she will bolt and become aggressive. If this happens then the game was up. She was a cautious creature with a long memory and once they had abused her trust, then there was no going back.
The dart gun and blow-pipe were loaded. It had been decided that if they had only one shot at this then they would need to be sure. A pincer movement meant that one or other shooter would get a clear shot. Their quarry was patrolling up and down warily inside her den but she had not detected their presence. The tension was almost painful.
Suddenly their was a crack and the dart hit its target, her ample rump. She had devoured a large part of the food budget of the zoo park, across the years. Now she was thrashing around betrayed, shocked and furious. Soon she was staggering and growing very unsteady. It was not long before she went down with a terrible crash but even then she was still protesting with loud indignant screams and clawing at the walls.
Ten minutes passed before anyone in the capture team dared enter her den. If she woke suddenly and had them cornered in the den, the unfortunate victim would be hacked to pieces before they had time to escape. Proceeding with exaggerated caution one brave member gave her a little kick as she lay sprawled on the floor. She was unconscious but still looked menacing. It was time for the team to move and move quickly.
The sleepy old lady needed to be carried to the waiting truck and secured for travel. She had a long journey ahead of her and they wanted her to arrive safe and sound. They also had a big responsibility to consider the safety of the truck driver and the general public, in transit gloria. She needed to be very secure but well secured. Food and water were in place in the truck and she was being dragged and roughly manhandled across the yard and into the truck. It appeared somewhat unseemly and undignified for an old dowager to be treated this way.
There was an emotional send off when the truck finally moved out of the yard. Some of the keepers were tearful and the visitors that had gathered were unsure what was happening but took pictures anyway, just in case. It wasn't real unless they had a picture of it. The look in the driver's face as he left was of fear and apprehension for the journey ahead. He was concerned that she would awake from her slumber to soon and claw her way through the cab to him. He was driving his worst nightmare.
As for the zoo park staff, the good news for them was that they now anticipated a new arrival, to replace their old friend. A newcomer to the zoo park. Fresh faced and full of fun, no doubt. Bringing with her, her own set of mischievous ways, comic antics and playful tricks. She would bring fresh blood and new breeding stock into the group.
It was late and everyone felt suddenly very tired. The adrenalin was wearing off now. It had been a difficult day. Full of mixed emotions. Thankfully not everyday is like this. Occasionally a tough job came along and this was a tough job but the tough got it together and did it. Somebody had to.
These exchange programmes were necessary for the health of all, to keep the stock viable and to make sure the visitors kept coming back. The zoo park needed to maintain the 'ongoing quality of the wildlife experience provision' but it was hard on the staff and some said it was no way to transfer the restaurant manager, Gloria. Even if she was a bit belligerent to the humans and attacked the customers when they had no change. The staff would miss her but then they would not need to bring packed lunches to work any more.
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