Chapter 566 - 255: Frenzied Purple-Winged Celestial Tiger
Chapter 566: Chapter 255: Frenzied Purple-Winged Celestial Tiger
Director Sun was a scholarly-looking man in his fifties. Upon hearing the news, he nodded in understanding.
Although he wanted to see Yang Qi interact with the tiger, he understood that the current situation was also urgent.
Wei Zongting and Song Chunfang exchanged a glance, also signaling for Yang Qi to go handle the car accident first.
"I’ll make it quick."
With that, Yang Qi took a veterinarian and two staff members with him, hastily driving away from the park.
The inspection team, accompanied by Wei Zongting, Song Chunfang, and others, proceeded to Tiger Mountain as planned.
The observation area on the outskirts of Tiger Mountain had already been prepared for their arrival.
Beyond the sturdy protective railings, a security line had been set up, and high-definition cameras with telephoto lenses were mounted.
The inspection team of over twenty people was guided by security to the best observation spot.
Through the railings, they could see Lian Po lying beside a large rock, lazily basking in the afternoon sun. Its tail swept the ground listlessly, and it looked very calm.
"That’s Lian Po!"
An official from the municipal forestry bureau explained to Director Sun.
"It’s certainly large, but it’s too thin, and its coat is dull. The signs of a life in the wild are obvious."
Director Sun raised his binoculars to observe carefully. He nodded slightly, a grave look in his eyes.
As a leader from the Forestry and Grassland Administration, he knew all too well how difficult survival was for South China Tigers in the wild.
"Professor Song, Director Wei, do you have a more detailed assessment of this tiger’s age and health?"
Director Sun lowered his binoculars and looked at Song Chunfang and Wei Zongting.
Just as Song Chunfang was about to reply, Director Chen—the man from the South China Wildlife Rescue Center who had been in the private discussion at the pavilion that morning—cut in. His voice was resonant, carrying a tone of professional authority.
"Director Sun, esteemed leaders, I’m from the South China Wildlife Rescue Center."
"Based on our center’s past experience with rescuing large predators, this South China Tiger’s aging and injuries might be more severe than we imagine."
"Look at the posture of its left hind leg. It’s clearly hesitant to put its full weight on it, which could indicate a joint problem."
"Also, its breathing rate, while calm, is somewhat short. Its cardiopulmonary function may have been compromised by old age and malnutrition."
"An individual like this requires the most delicate and professional medical care and rehabilitation environment. The slightest bit of stress could cause irreversible damage."
His words immediately captured everyone’s attention.
Many experts from other provinces also nodded in agreement.
Director Chen paused, glanced at Professor Wang beside him, and continued, "Therefore, I personally believe that before we decide on the next steps for this tiger, we must conduct a more in-depth and comprehensive close-range physical examination, including blood chemistry, X-rays, and even an ultrasound."
"Only by obtaining the most precise data can we assess its true condition and formulate the most scientific placement plan."
"And to perform these examinations, given its current wild state and wariness of humans, a professional anesthesia team will likely need to be involved."
"Anesthesia?!"
Wei Zongting frowned and immediately objected, "Director Chen, the tiger is stable right now. Director Yang Qi is able to communicate with it on a basic level and has already completed some preliminary checks. Anesthetizing it rashly is too great a risk for an elderly tiger."
"Director Wei, I understand your concerns."
Director Chen was unhurried, his tone sounding extremely professional and responsible. "But it is precisely because it’s an elderly tiger that we must find out what hidden health problems it has."
"Otherwise, if some latent illness flares up during its subsequent care and leads to the animal’s death, who will take responsibility?"
"Our center’s veterinary team is top-tier in the country, with extensive experience in anesthetizing large predators, and our equipment is state-of-the-art."
"As for the safety and necessity, we can provide a detailed proposal and risk assessment report."
His argument was watertight. He both elevated the necessity of the examination and showcased his own unit’s professional capabilities, while subtly highlighting the risk that Xianlai lacked top-tier anesthesia equipment and experience.
Hearing this, Director Sun’s brow furrowed slightly as well.
From the perspective of ensuring the animal’s absolute safety, a comprehensive physical exam was indeed the more prudent option.
But he also recalled the previous report from Wei Zongting and Song Chunfang, which mentioned that Yang Qi could communicate with the tiger to some extent, potentially avoiding the risks of unnecessary anesthesia.
Just then, Professor Wang also began to speak, slowly and deliberately.
"Director Chen has a point. Scientific assessment puts data first."
"Besides, close-range observation, or even contact, would also give us a more direct understanding of its behavioral patterns and stress responses."
"This is crucial for determining if it is suitable for long-term captivity, as well as for designing an enriched captive environment."
"I suggest that, on the condition of ensuring absolute safety, we could have our professional behaviorists and veterinarians attempt to enter the outer buffer zone in protective gear, carrying the necessary testing equipment, to conduct closer observations and simple non-contact tests."
The two of them worked in tandem. One called for a deep physical exam under anesthesia, while the other proposed a close-range observational assessment.
Their goals seemed different, but the core idea was the same.
Xianlai’s current methods of observation and contact were not professional enough; people with their superior expertise needed to intervene and take more control.
Song Chunfang’s expression darkened, and she was about to retort.
From the crowd, another young expert from an out-of-province zoo, eager to impress the leadership...