Forest Ranger, starting from Picking Up a Lynx Girl-Chapter 338 - 336: Elder Tiger’s Doubt (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 338 -336: Elder Tiger’s Doubt (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

He definitely wasn’t qualified to apply for this project on his own.

But he had a good relationship with a member of the Big Cat Alliance, whose mentor and senior coupled a project in the direction of Huanan Tiger genetic research.

Zoology is a big circle, and individual species are a smaller circle within.

If he wanted to establish a foothold in the Huanan Tiger circle, he needed someone to lead the way.

Of course, among Professor Bai’s old friends, there were experts studying the Huanan Tiger. The one, who initially established a research team in Jiamu Gully, had advised Chen Ying several times, wanting to pull him into his research group.

Chen Ying hadn’t approached him because he understood that his research direction diverged from his own goals.

Another major reason why Chen preferred a different professor was:

That professor’s research institute had been studying the Huanan Tiger for nearly 30 years, reliably advancing toward their set goals each year.

From this, one could see that this research team was genuinely preparing for the project “Releasing Tigers Back to the Mountains.”

Over the phone, that friend agreed to come over and help train for a while once the Huanan Tiger Cubs arrived at Chen Ying’s end.

Mainly because Little Sen had no experience in taking care of tiger cubs, and the healthy growth of the cubs was the most crucial foundation of this sub-project.

On the contrary, the vexing issue of wilding the animals that plagued domestic research teams wasn’t a problem for Chen Ying.

He had abundant external support, like Little Jin, the Clouded Leopard that traveled around each year looking for mates, and the aging mother tiger from Old Gouzi, all of whom could serve as teachers for the two tiger cubs.

Before the troops arrive, send the provisions first.

Chen Ying called Little Sen again, asking what needed to be prepared for raising the tiger cubs, so he could procure them in advance.

Little Sen was still learning about raising tiger cubs at the Wildlife Park. Hearing Chen Ying’s words, he quickly inquired if they had already found tiger cubs to exchange.

“It’s probably not an exchange. The director supports our ideas and also hopes you can use your achievements to prove wrong those who know nothing, so he has agreed to help think of a way.”

Such a high-ranking director, and yet he can’t coordinate two tiger cubs?

Little Sen felt excited yet somewhat fearful.

He could feel that Brother Ying had tailored this project specifically for him.

If it had been any previous project, joining would just add one more line to his resume without any real benefit.

But this project was different, from initiation to completion, Chen Ying let him take the lead, ensuring a significant share of any rewards.

Three days later, the director called and instructed Little Sen to head out to receive the tigers.

“Besides the two cubs, there is also an aging male tiger.”

The director spoke in a grave tone, pausing after every sentence on the phone.

“The zoo was initially opposed to it, but knowing you were leading, they agreed after two meetings. They have one request—they hope you can alleviate the old tiger’s suffering.”

Chen Ying looked at the screen showing the medical file of the aging male tiger, really unsure whether to take the job on.

Cataracts, coronary heart disease, serious liver, and kidney issues.

These ailments, had they been in humans, meant merely waiting for the end, let alone in an animal that couldn’t communicate.

“Cataracts are relatively manageable, but because the old tiger’s heart disease is severe, and the kidneys are beyond help, its temper is extremely volatile—the keeper who cared for it can’t even get close.”

A year ago, though aging, the tiger was still temperate, even able to venture out occasionally.

But now, the tiger seemed in significant agony and restlessness, making a mess while eating or relieving itself due to its blindness.

Big Cats are clean animals (except Er Maotai), hence being dirty and unable to clean themselves agitated them even more.

After learning about the condition, Chen Ying thought it over for just two hours before agreeing to take the old male tiger as well.

Luckily, the Animal Shed was still there, just needing a reorganization.

As Chen Ying was tidying up the shed, an idea struck him, and he made a signboard to hang up.

Next door was called “Kindergarten”, and this one was “Elderly Home.”

This room had previously housed an old monkey, was now about to welcome a new occupant, Elder Tiger, and might host elderly pandas or elderly Flower Leopards in the future.

Little Sen was fine with taking care of young animals, but could he handle elderly ones?

Just as in the human world, the neonatal and geriatric departments are also distinct branches.

Nowadays, many breeding bases and key research institutes separate the care of young and old animals.

“Brother Ying, it’s okay. I plan to get a nutritionist certificate. Whether taking care of Little Tiger Cubs or Elder Tiger, I think I can handle it.”

Little Sen was brave in facing challenges. In clinical medicine, his talent might not amount to much, but he had his unique insights into caregiving.

Look at the little ones he raised, each plump and rolly, moving like little cannons, the type grandmothers and aunts adore the most.

In early March, one elderly tiger and two young ones were delivered to the emergency station.

The elderly tiger had been sedated; otherwise, it would have been impossible to move due to its agitation.

The two Little Tiger Cubs were carried back by Little Sen, mewing all the way, not much different from small children.

“The cubs are almost four months old, the amount of mother’s milk has decreased, they are eating more meat now. I spent a few days learning from their keeper, got the formula milk ratio and food pairing sorted.”

As Chen Ying listened to Little Sen recount his journey to fetch the tiger cubs, he quickly examined the physical condition of the cubs.

“Insufficient strength in limbs, teeth development normal. Observe their diet and defecation closely in the coming days due to the change in environment.”

The little tiger cub was doing quite well overall; they continued to feed it the same formula as before, mainly to help it adjust to the environment over the next half-month.

The main issue was with Old Tiger.

At 22 years old this year, his canines and incisors were almost all gone; he relied on the human keeper to cut his food into small pieces or strips.

Soon, when he could no longer chew properly, he would have to eat minced meat.

Aging tigers in the wild would grow weak and eventually fall due to such issues.

While Old Tiger was asleep, Chen Ying performed a checkup on him.

The situation with his kidneys was somewhat better than expected, but there was an issue with his gallbladder; the gallstones were quite severe. Moreover, he needed immediate surgery for his cataracts.

The reason Old Tiger hadn’t undergone surgery in his previous location was mainly due to his aggressive nature. Postoperative care was critical, and if it wasn’t possible to safely approach him, insufficient postoperative care would not only prevent the wound from healing but could make it worse; in such a case, it would be better not to operate at all.

Towards the end of the examination, Old Tiger showed signs of awakening.

Little Sen stood nervously outside the door of the animal shed.

For Old Tiger’s safety, they had installed a door on the animal shed to prevent him from wandering out at night and bumping into trees.

It was also to prevent other wild animals from coming over to provoke Old Tiger.

Harassing a blind old beast was not beneath the little creatures in the forest.

Old Tiger gasped and grimaced for a while; sensing an unfamiliar scent and about to struggle, until a warm hand touched his head.

Old Tiger was startled and shook his head instinctively.

One must not touch a tiger’s backside, nor their head!

He wanted to roar, took a deep breath to let loose a ferocious howl, but almost choked on the fresh scent of grass and trees he had never smelled before.

Inhale, inhale again.

It was different; where was he?

Old Tiger lifted his head trying to familiarize himself with the environment through scent when he heard a pleasant voice speak up.

“Come on, let me show you around, this is your new home.”

Old Tiger shivered, slowly stood up, and started to walk forward, following the hand guiding him.

“Come on, there’s a patch of grass up ahead, a flat field where you can lie down and feel it.”

Despite not wanting to listen to the person, he found himself instinctively following the instructions.

Old Tiger shuddered with dread, but it was only for a moment as he lay down and enjoyed the sensation of grass blades rubbing against his belly.

Lowering his head, he could still smell the moisture left from a light rain the night before.

Unable to help himself, he rolled over, paws up to the sky, with the sun warming his soft underbelly, much like lying in his mother’s embrace as he remembered.

Little Sen played with two little tigers on the first-floor terrace, occasionally glancing at Old Tiger leisurely wagging his tail in the grass.

Looking at him now, anyone claiming Old Tiger suffered from depression must be joking.

If he was depressed, wouldn’t Jinya have gone wild?

Speaking of Jinya, as if on cue, there she was.

She and Little Jin each held a rabbit, standing curiously on the wooden corridor mid-air, surveying Old Tiger.

Old Tiger also sensed the presence of Jinya and Little Jin, quickly turned over, and took a defensive stance.

“Wow, where did this old guy come from? He doesn’t carry the scent of the forest.”

The smile gradually faded from Chen Ying’s face.

How sad it was that the once king of the forest bore no scent of it.

Old Tiger wanted to roar, but he lacked the confidence.

The forest… encoded in his genes, the name of his homeland, yet he could not return.

“He’s a new companion who has fallen ill and has come here to recuperate. Jinya, Little Jin, come, get to know Old Tiger.”

Excited, Jinya jumped down with the rabbit, drawing close to Old Tiger.

Animals usually get to know each other through scent first.

Jinya’s close presence made Old Tiger a bit nervous, but with Chen Ying sitting next to him, holding his neck, it calmed his feelings.

Jinya’s warm breath brushed against his cheek; Old Tiger dodged slightly, his mouth twitching a bit.

“Can he not see?” Jinya always spoke directly.

“Yes, he has some eye problems, so he’s here to recuperate. He’ll need surgery in a while.”

“How pitiful,” Jinya muttered. “If he can’t see, he can’t hunt. But it’s okay, I’m capable enough to take care of an old cat too.”

She casually tossed the rabbit in front of Old Tiger, “Eat up. Once you’re fed, I’ll take you out to play!”

Old Tiger: ?! ?!

In his entire life, he had never encountered such an overly familiar beast.

What’s with this female? He was old and no longer capable of mating!

Fortunately, Jinya couldn’t hear his thoughts, or she might have clawed his tiger face, possibly adding, “Don’t be flaky!”