The Nest Was Too Silent, and This Park Ranger Found Out Why

Unfamiliar Tracks

Tim had never seen tracks like these before. The patterns in the dirt near the tree’s base didn’t match anything from the usual wildlife: no hoofprints, no paw marks—just odd, deliberate impressions pressed into the earth. A chill crept over him. If a predator had been here, where was the evidence? No feathers. No sign of a struggle.

He needed a better look. The towering branches made it impossible to see inside from the ground. Climbing without proper gear wasn’t an option. His usual patrol could wait. Turning on his heel, he rushed to the ranger station, grabbed what he needed, and drove back, heart pounding.

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