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The Exhibit
‘And these,’ said the zoo warden, gesturing to the cage, ‘are our most prized possessions. Discovered off the coast of Scotland last year, they are believed to be some of the last remaining members of their species. Come in, everyone, please, and take a closer look.’
The group of tourists edged closer to the glass front of the enclosure and peered at the two strange creatures inside. A small child pressed his face against the glass in awe.
‘They were once a very successful species,’ said the warden, ‘and covered almost every inch of the planet, but now they’re sadly reduced to just a few isolated locations across the world.’
‘What happened to them?’ asked the child, his nostrils flaring as an exhale fogged up the glass.
‘No-one is quite certain,’ said the warden. ‘Famine and disease most likely. Sad yes but it’s the circle of life, once a species gets too successful, mother nature swoops in and makes her move, readdressing the balance of nature.’
The child peered at the larger figure as it moved in its strange, loping way across to the feeding station. ‘Don’t they get bored in there?’
‘Of course not!’ The warden snorted in amusement. ‘As you can see, we keep them in enriched cages that allow them to act out their natural behaviors. I can assure you they’ve always something to occupy them.’ The…
