Richard, the zookeeper, was overjoyed when he discovered that one of the tigers was expecting—a sign that the zoo would soon welcome a litter of cubs.
As the due date neared after months of anticipation, something strange happened: the tiger showed no signs of giving birth. Concerned, Richard reached out to a local veterinarian to perform an ultrasound. But when the vet examined the scan, they didn’t just share the results—they called the police right away.
So what was really going on with the tiger? And was Richard somehow involved in something more than just caring for animals?
Police mobilization
The vet immediately contacted the police, who said they would arrive as soon as possible. It was clear the tiger required more than just medical attention—whatever was happening inside her stomach was serious, and urgent surgery was the only option to save her life. Richard was overwhelmed and confused.
Why would law enforcement need to get involved just to assist with the birth of tiger cubs? And now, hearing that surgery was necessary, his concern for the animal deepened. Something about the situation didn’t add up.
Question Time
When the police arrived at the zoo, they assisted in sedating the sluggish tiger, but it quickly became clear they weren't just there for the animal's welfare—they had questions for Richard as well.
"I'm sorry, but you need to come with us. This is serious," one of the officers said, leaving Richard stunned. He couldn’t recall doing anything that would warrant police involvement. Had he unknowingly broken the law? As the officer began questioning him, Richard realized the situation was far more complicated than he had imagined.
The Shocked Vet
Richard carefully responded to the police officers' questions about his background and his years of care for the tiger, which he had raised since it was a cub. Some of the questions were unexpected, leaving him increasingly uneasy. Just as he finished answering, a sudden scream echoed from the operating room.
"I can't believe it! I've never seen anything like this!" the vet shouted in disbelief.
Richard's heart raced—whatever the vet had discovered inside the tiger's stomach was something so extraordinary that even a seasoned professional like them was completely taken aback. What could it possibly be? Something that would leave a vet so shocked had to be truly bizarre.
I want you to get pregnant
It had been months since Richard’s tiger, Carly, had become pregnant, but getting to this point had been a challenging journey.
Richard had always adored Carly, and he dreamed of expanding the zoo’s tiger population. He hoped she would conceive and give birth to cubs. However, getting Carly pregnant wasn’t an easy task. With no other tigers in the zoo, Richard had no choice but to seek out a facility or veterinarian capable of performing artificial insemination. Unfortunately, he faced numerous obstacles—no one seemed willing to help with the procedure.
How to impregnate a tiger
To achieve his dream of bringing a baby tiger to the zoo, Richard knew he needed to find a professional who was legally qualified to perform artificial insemination on tigers. However, despite his efforts, things didn’t go as planned. After several months of searching, he still couldn’t find anyone who could help him fulfill his wish.
With no other option left, Richard reluctantly came to terms with the fact that he wouldn’t be able to get Carly pregnant in this way. He began to consider the possibility of requesting the transfer of another tiger from a different location to expand his zoo’s tiger population.
Found At Last
After months of searching, Richard finally found a man with extensive knowledge of tigers who agreed to visit the zoo. A few days later, the man arrived and performed the artificial insemination procedure, successfully impregnating Carly.
Richard was overjoyed and eagerly anticipated the arrival of a new cub. With tiger gestation lasting around 100 days, it wouldn’t be long—just a little over three months—before the zoo would be blessed with an adorable baby tiger.
Ultrasonography
It had been a long and painstaking journey, but Richard finally achieved his goal. A week or two after the insemination, Richard reached out to the vet to schedule the first ultrasound, eager to confirm that Carly was truly pregnant. Although the man who had performed the insemination assured him that Carly was expecting, Richard remained skeptical until he could see it for himself. More than anything, he wanted to ensure that both Carly and her unborn cub were healthy and safe.
When the ultrasound was finished, the vet reviewed the results and prepared to share what they had found.
Test Results
The vet delivered the good news to Richard: Carly was indeed pregnant. Thankfully, there were no complications with either Carly or the growing baby tiger. Everything seemed to be progressing well, and the baby tiger appeared to be developing normally inside Carly's belly.
Richard felt a wave of relief wash over him, but he also realized that his work was far from over. He would need to be more attentive than ever, ensuring Carly received the best care throughout her pregnancy as he prepared for the upcoming birth. The responsibility weighed heavily on him, but he was determined to give his beloved tiger the best chance for a smooth delivery.
However, as the weeks passed and Carly’s pregnancy advanced, Richard began to notice signs that things weren’t going quite as smoothly as he had hoped. Unsettling changes started to unfold, and soon, the situation began to take a troubling turn.
Playtime with Carly
Carly had begun showing clear signs of pregnancy. Since becoming pregnant, her behavior had noticeably changed—she was sleeping less and had lost interest in playing with Richard, something she used to love. Richard couldn't tell if she was simply exhausted or if her instincts were guiding her to avoid any potential risks during this vulnerable time.
Despite his experience as a zookeeper, Richard struggled to understand Carly's new behavior. Watching her grow more distant and uncomfortable left him feeling helpless. He was deeply worried and frustrated, burdened by the thought that he couldn’t ease her discomfort or figure out exactly what she needed.
Hopes...
As Carly’s pregnancy neared its final stages, her restlessness only increased. The vet reassured Richard that it was normal for tigers to become anxious and fidgety as they approached labor, so he tried to stay calm, trusting that Carly would soon settle down.
But in the final week—just as the birth was expected—Carly’s behavior took a more alarming turn. She seemed unable to cope with the pain, pacing and groaning in clear distress. Richard's heart pounded. Was the moment finally here?
Desperate to help, he sprang into action, preparing everything needed for the birth. All he could do now was hope that Carly would deliver safely and that her suffering would soon come to an end.
Reaching out to the vet
Richard had done everything he could to make sure Carly would have a smooth, safe delivery. He had carefully prepared the birthing area to make her as comfortable as possible and even placed the vet’s phone number in a spot he could reach in an instant. He was ready for anything—or so he thought.
But the expected birth never came. Carly showed all the signs of being in pain, yet she refused to give birth. Confused and increasingly anxious, Richard called the vet and explained the situation, hoping for clear guidance.
Instead, the vet paused, then asked a question Richard hadn’t anticipated—one that sent a chill down his spine.
Necessary Actions
The vet asked Richard to describe Carly’s current condition in detail. “At first, she was just more fidgety than usual,” Richard said, “but now… she’s barely moving. She’s lethargic and seems like she’s in pain, but nothing is happening.”
The vet was alarmed by what he heard. This wasn’t a normal delay—Carly was in trouble. He quickly explained that Carly wasn’t refusing to give birth; she was struggling to do so and urgently needed assistance. If they waited any longer, both she and her cub could be in serious danger.
The vet instructed Richard to gently guide Carly into a specific position that could help ease the birthing process and relieve some of the pressure she was experiencing. Time was critical, and Richard had to act fast.
Time to Stretch
The vet calmly instructed Richard to have Carly lie on her back and gently stretch out her limbs, saying this would help ease the strain on her body and assist the baby in moving into the right position for birth. It sounded simple the way the vet explained it—but Richard knew better. Getting a full-grown, distressed tiger to lie on her back and allow someone to touch her legs was far from easy—it was dangerous.
Still, desperate to help, Richard approached Carly cautiously and tried to follow the vet’s instructions. But Carly, overwhelmed by pain and instinctively defensive, lashed out the moment he got close. Her usual trust in Richard had been overtaken by fear and aggression. It was clear that without sedation or professional support, there was no way to safely help her.
Scared to Approach
Richard stood frozen with fear. Under normal circumstances, Carly would never harm him—she trusted him, even sought his company. But now, things were different. She was in pain, distressed, and acting purely on instinct. Every attempt he made to get close was met with growls and swipes. Trying to stretch her limbs seemed not only dangerous, but possibly harmful if it pushed her further into panic.
Torn between the risk of angering Carly and the fear of doing nothing, Richard hesitated. Was this really the best way to help her? Could there be another, safer method?
With a trembling voice, he turned back to the vet. “Isn’t there another way?” he asked. “Something that won’t risk making her even more aggressive? I just want to help her, but I can’t get close without getting hurt—or hurting her.”
Slow Approach
The vet’s voice was firm and urgent: the only way to help Carly and her baby was to get her onto her back and carefully stretch her limbs. There was no alternative. If they didn’t act now, it could be too late.
Hearing this, Richard took a deep breath and steeled himself. He pushed his fear aside—this wasn’t about him. It was about saving Carly, the tiger he had raised and loved for years.
He approached her slowly, speaking softly to reassure her, using the tone she had always responded to. “It’s okay, girl... I’m here. I’m going to help you,” he whispered, step by cautious step. Carly growled faintly, still tense, but didn’t lash out.
When he finally reached her, he paused, watching for any sign of pain. Then, gently, he began to move her limbs into the position the vet had described. She flinched at first, but to Richard’s relief, didn’t resist. He worked carefully, making sure every motion was slow and steady.
This was their only chance—and Richard was determined not to let her down.
What Came Next
After Richard successfully stretched Carly’s limbs into position, the vet gave him the next critical instruction: he needed to feel along Carly’s abdomen for any unusual swellings—something that might explain why the birth hadn’t progressed.
Richard nodded and gently ran his hands across Carly’s belly, carefully pressing and examining every area. He had watched over her for months, monitoring her every move, but now—under the vet’s guidance—he noticed something he had completely overlooked.
His fingers paused over a section of her abdomen. There, just beneath the surface, was a distinct, firm swelling—one that didn’t feel like a cub. It was smaller, oddly shaped, and positioned differently from where he expected the baby to be.
Richard’s eyes widened in disbelief. How had he missed this? It had been there all along, hidden beneath the surface. Whatever it was, it wasn’t normal—and it might have been the reason Carly was in distress.
Something was very wrong inside Carly.
Small Bulges
Richard's hand trembled as he pressed gently against the small, firm swelling on Carly’s abdomen—something he had never noticed before. Panic gripped him. What did this mean? Was it a tumor? An infection? Some internal injury? His heart pounded with guilt and fear. If this strange lump was what had been causing Carly so much pain, how had he missed it for so long?
“Is Carly going to be okay?” Richard asked the vet, his voice tight with emotion. “Please—what do I do now?”
The vet’s reply was grave. “That swelling… it’s not supposed to be there. It could be obstructing the birth canal. We need to operate immediately, or we risk losing both Carly and her cub.”
Richard felt like the ground had shifted beneath him. Surgery? This wasn’t something he could manage on his own. He wasn’t equipped. He wasn't a vet.
As the vet explained how critical the situation had become, Richard realized that he was in far deeper than he had imagined. Things weren’t just complicated—they were spiraling beyond his control. And time was running out.
Changes in Tone
The vet’s tone shifted suddenly, more urgent than before. “We need to do an ultrasound on Carly. I’ll be there as soon as possible,” he said, his voice sharp and commanding.
Richard’s heart sank as the vet added, “Calm down and wait for me. I’ll be there within 30 minutes,” before hanging up.
But calming down was the last thing Richard could do. The vet’s serious tone only deepened his worry. An ultrasound? Right before birth? He hadn’t expected that at all. Was Carly’s condition truly so dire? Was the situation worse than he had realized?
As Richard paced the room, trying to make sense of it all, something began to gnaw at the back of his mind—something the vet had overlooked. It was one detail he hadn’t shared, but it weighed heavily on Richard: the swelling he had felt earlier.
It wasn’t just a swelling—it was too firm, too oddly shaped. Richard remembered something about it, something crucial the vet hadn’t asked about. The swelling didn’t feel like it belonged to the baby at all. Could it have been something else inside Carly? Something that wasn’t related to her pregnancy?
Richard’s thoughts were racing. Was the real problem hidden deeper than anyone had realized?
Traffic Jam
The vet had promised to arrive within 30 minutes, but he had overlooked one crucial detail—he was heading to the zoo during rush hour. Traffic was crawling, and every minute that passed added to the delay. His car was barely moving, trapped in a sea of brake lights and honking horns.
Meanwhile, time was slipping away for Carly.
Richard checked the clock anxiously, pacing back and forth. Carly was still in pain, still unable to give birth, and now the vet—the one person who could perform the ultrasound and assess the swelling—wasn’t going to make it in time.
If they waited too long, it might be too late to save Carly or her cub.
The delay wasn’t just frustrating—it was dangerous. Carly didn’t just need help soon. She needed it now.
As the minutes dragged on and there was still no sign of the vet, Richard’s stress turned to panic. Carly was growing weaker, and every moment without help felt like a lifetime. Unable to sit still, he finally called the vet—only to hear the worst: the vet was stuck in traffic, barely moving.
That’s when a friend of Richard’s, who had been helping out at the zoo, spoke up with a bold idea. “I’ve got a motorbike. I can get through traffic way faster. Let me go pick him up.”
Desperate but hopeful, Richard immediately relayed the plan to the vet. The vet agreed, seeing it was their best chance to reach Carly in time. He turned his car around, heading back toward his clinic to wait for Richard’s friend.
It wasn’t ideal, but it was fast—and right now, fast was all that mattered.
Inspection Time
Richard’s friend weaved through traffic on his motorbike and reached the veterinary clinic quickly, picking up the vet and racing back to the zoo. In just ten minutes, they arrived—much faster than the original plan. Seeing the vet step through the zoo gates, Richard finally felt a small wave of relief wash over him. But there was no time to celebrate—Carly’s condition was still critical, and the birth process had only just begun.
The vet wasted no time and moved toward Carly to begin the examination. But just as he got close, Carly stirred. Her body tensed, and she began to move restlessly again, growling and shifting on her side.
It was impossible to examine her properly while she was in motion—it was dangerous for both Carly and the vet. Without hesitation, the vet reached into his bag and pulled out a syringe.
“We’ll have to sedate her—just enough to calm her down,” he told Richard. “It’s the only way we can safely check what’s going on and help her give birth.”
Everything now hinged on the sedation working quickly and safely.
Some Struggle
The vet knew that sedation was the only safe way to calm Carly down, allowing him to examine her without the risk of injury to anyone—including Carly herself. But there was a serious complication: administering a sedative to a distressed, full-grown tiger was no simple task.
Carly was clearly on edge, pacing and growling softly, her muscles twitching with every step. She seemed to sense something was wrong, and her usual trust in Richard wasn’t enough to keep her still.
The vet observed her movements carefully, waiting for the perfect moment. But that moment didn’t come easily. Time was running short, and Carly’s condition was getting more unstable by the minute.
Realizing he couldn’t do it alone, the vet turned to Richard and his friends. “I need your help. We have to hold her still—just for a few seconds—so I can inject the sedative safely. I’ll guide you, but we need to move carefully and together.”
Richard hesitated. The thought of restraining Carly in her current state was terrifying. But he knew there was no other way. If they failed now, Carly—and her cub—might not make it.
Everyone took their positions, hearts pounding, as they prepared to do the unthinkable: steady a tiger in pain, in order to save her life.
Additional Aggression
Carly grew even more aggressive, forcing Richard and his friend to back away and wait. But after some time, she still hadn’t calmed down.
The vet, realizing the situation wasn’t improving, mentioned an alternative. Though he had hoped to avoid it, he said, “We can use a tranquilizer dart. It’s riskier, but it’s the only option left.”
No Room For Error
The vet explained that a tranquilizer gun could be used to sedate Carly from a distance, but it required a stronger drug. This method carried serious risks—if the dosage was too strong, both Carly and her cub could die.
He turned to Richard. “What do you want to do?” he asked.
Faced with a life-or-death decision, Richard felt the weight of it pressing down on him. There was no clear answer—and no room for error.
A Big Decision
Richard understood that a single wrong move could cost both Carly and her cub their lives. He weighed the options carefully: a strong sedative would allow the vet to begin the examination right away, but carried serious risks. A milder sedative would be safer—but might not work fast enough, and time was running out.
He turned to the vet. “What exactly are the risks of each?” he asked, needing to be sure before making his decision.
The vet laid out the possibilities in clear terms, neither sugarcoating nor reassuring. After a long, tense silence, Richard took a deep breath.
He stopped thinking like a zookeeper, stopped analyzing every detail—and chose to trust his instincts. He followed his heart.
Getting the job done
Richard knew that sedation was now unavoidable. Every moment of delay increased the danger for both Carly and her cub. Trusting his instincts, he gave the vet the go-ahead to use the strong sedative that could be administered immediately.
However, before the vet could proceed, one critical issue remained: safety. Carly was growing more agitated by the second, and approaching her directly was too dangerous.
The team had to find a way to safely get within range without putting themselves at risk.
Move away from the cage
The vet calmly instructed Richard and his friend to slowly exit the cage to ensure everyone's safety during the sedation. But as they began to back away, Carly reacted badly—her agitation worsened, and she let out a low, distressed growl.
Richard froze. He could feel it—Carly didn’t want him to go. Her eyes, filled with pain and confusion, seemed to plead with him: Don’t leave me. Help me.
His heart wavered. After all the decisions he had weighed, all the fear he had pushed through, now he was being asked to walk away from the tiger he had raised and loved.
Was leaving really the right thing to do? Or would stepping away, even for safety, betray the trust she had in him when she needed it most?
Distress
Carly writhed in pain, her body tense and her movements erratic. Richard could see her suffering, and it tore at his heart. He knew the only way to ease her pain was to administer the sedative as soon as possible.
However, his emotions were clouding his judgment, and he hesitated. He couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her alone, especially in such a state. But the vet gently reminded him, “The sooner we sedate her, the sooner her pain will stop. We need to act now.”
With that, Richard finally found the resolve to step away from the cage. He gave Carly a quiet, sorrowful apology in his heart, knowing that this decision, though difficult, was in her best interest.
Now, with the path clear, they were ready to sedate Carly.
Sedative
With Richard and his friend safely away from the cage, the vet used the tranquilizer gun to administer the sedative. Carly’s movements slowed as the drug took effect, and within minutes, she finally lay still, her breathing deepening as she drifted into a peaceful sleep.
The vet moved quickly, preparing Carly for the ultrasound, his hands steady despite the tense atmosphere. Richard stood at the edge of the cage, his eyes never leaving Carly, his mind racing.
It only took a few minutes for the ultrasound to be completed, but to Richard, it felt like an eternity. What was happening to Carly? And that strange bump—what was it? Was it related to the pregnancy, or something else entirely?
The uncertainty gnawed at him as the vet focused intently on the screen. Every second felt critical.
The Examination
Performing an ultrasound on a tiger was far more difficult than it seemed. When the sedative took effect, Carly fell asleep with her abdomen curled in—a position that made the scan nearly impossible.
The vet, needing better access, turned to Richard once again. “We need to stretch her limbs out,” he said.
Exhausted but determined, Richard stepped in and carefully helped reposition Carly, just as he had done before. With her limbs extended, the vet was finally able to begin the ultrasound properly.
Everything that had led up to this moment—the traffic delays, the tense wait, the difficult sedation, and now the repositioning—had drained Richard. And yet, the birth itself hadn’t even begun.
Change of tone again
As the vet moved the ultrasound probe across Carly’s abdomen, Richard noticed a subtle but unmistakable shift in his demeanor. The vet, who had started the procedure with calm focus, was now growing quieter, more tense. His brow furrowed, and his movements became slower, more deliberate.
Richard recognized the change immediately—but he didn’t say anything. He didn’t want to break the vet’s concentration or interfere with the scan. Yet deep down, he feared the worst.
The vet's silence deepened as the probe passed over the area where Richard had earlier felt the small swelling. Richard could see it in his eyes—whatever he was seeing on the screen confirmed a suspicion he had hoped wasn’t true.
Later, Richard would regret staying silent. In that moment, he wished he had asked, What’s wrong? But instead, he stood by, watching the truth unfold in silence.
An emergency phone call
After several tense minutes scanning Carly’s belly, the vet suddenly set down the ultrasound probe and told Richard, “I need to make an emergency call.” Without offering any explanation, he stepped outside and dialed a number.
Richard watched him go, anxiety tightening in his chest. He didn’t know who the vet was calling, and the silence about Carly’s condition was unbearable. All he wanted was to hear the results—to know whether Carly and her baby were safe.
But the vet's urgency, the look in his eyes, and the sudden call suggested something was seriously wrong.
Who was on the other end of that line? Another specialist? The authorities?
And most of all: what had the vet seen that made him walk away without saying a word?
The Coast is Clear
When the vet returned, his expression was more composed. He calmly told Richard that both Carly and her cub were healthy, though Carly was exhausted and needed rest before she could safely give birth.
Relieved, Richard nodded in agreement. They left the enclosure and returned to the zoo office to wait and monitor her progress from a distance. For the first time in hours, the tension in Richard’s shoulders began to ease.
But just a few minutes later, a sound reached his ears—a sound he knew instantly. It was Carly.
Knock Knock...It's the police
The wail of a police siren pierced the quiet, and Richard looked up in shock as a patrol car pulled into the zoo. His heart raced—why were the police here?
Confused and panicked, Richard turned to the vet. Had he unknowingly done something wrong? Was there some regulation he had violated? Fear twisted in his stomach.
But before Richard could spiral any further, the vet calmly stepped in and explained.
“The police aren’t here for you,” he said. “They’re here because of what we found during the ultrasound. Carly’s condition isn’t natural—it’s been tampered with. This isn’t just a medical case. It may involve a criminal act.”
Richard stood frozen. The vet continued, “We believe Carly may have been implanted with something that doesn’t belong—something illegal. That’s why I had to call them.”
It wasn’t Richard under investigation. It was something far stranger—and far more serious.
The Need for Surgery
The vet looked Richard in the eye and said, “We found something in Carly’s stomach that shouldn’t be there. It’s what caused the bulge you felt earlier.”
Richard’s breath caught. “What do you mean?”
“She’ll need surgery to remove it,” the vet explained. “It’s not part of her pregnancy—it’s foreign. Carly is stable under standard sedation for now, but to proceed with a proper surgical operation, we need specialized equipment.”
The vet paused, then added, “That equipment is in the possession of the local police. That’s why I called them—not because you’re in trouble, but because Carly needs their tools if we’re going to save her.”
The Revelation
Once he gathered his thoughts, Richard took a deep breath and walked to the zoo entrance, guiding the officers through the grounds to Carly’s enclosure. Despite the stress of the day, he felt a brief moment of gratitude. Everyone—his friends, the veterinarians, and now the local police—had come together for one purpose: to save Carly and her baby.
But just as that relief began to settle, a police officer stepped away from the group and approached Richard directly. The officer’s expression was serious.
Then came the words that shattered Richard’s sense of calm.
Answer me this...
“Excuse me, but could you come with me? I want to ask you some questions,” the police officer said firmly.
Richard was taken aback. He had expected the officers to be there solely to assist with Carly’s surgery. This was completely unexpected—and unsettling. The vet hadn’t mentioned anything about Richard being questioned.
“I… don’t understand,” Richard said. “I thought you were here to help Carly.”
The officer nodded. “We are. But we also need to ask about the person who carried out the artificial insemination. There are some concerns.”
Richard felt his heart sink. He had done nothing wrong. All he had ever wanted was for Carly to have a safe birth. Still, he knew he had nothing to hide.
With a steady voice, he said, “Alright. I’ll answer your questions.”
Identity Verification
The police officer began with routine questions, calmly asking, “Are you Richard, the zookeeper?” and “Is the tiger, Carly, under your care here at the zoo?” Richard answered both without hesitation—basic confirmations, nothing out of the ordinary.
But then the questions shifted. “Who performed the artificial insemination procedure?” “How did you find them?” “Did they provide any documentation or medical certification?”
Richard furrowed his brow. These were no longer just identity checks—they were digging deeper. Why were they so interested in the insemination? Had something gone wrong that he didn’t know about? Was Carly unknowingly part of something bigger?
Despite the confusion growing inside him, Richard answered every question honestly. He had nothing to hide—but now, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something very serious was unfolding around him.
Background checks
"How did you get Carly pregnant?" the police officer asked, his tone more direct now.
Richard answered steadily, though the question made him uneasy. "I contacted a man who knows a lot about tigers. He told me he could perform artificial insemination, and he successfully impregnated Carly. Before agreeing, I ran a background check on him to make sure everything was legal. The check didn’t reveal anything suspicious, so as far as I knew, there was no problem with what he was doing."
The officer listened carefully, taking notes. Richard couldn’t tell from his expression whether that answer helped or raised more concerns. Either way, it was clear the investigation wasn’t over.
Clearing His Name
To clear up any doubts, Richard provided the police with the details of his background check and shared the contact information and sources he had used to verify the man’s credentials. The officer listened closely and nodded.
“Alright,” the officer said, “It looks like you acted in good faith. But we still need more information about the man who performed the procedure.”
Then, without another word, the officer reached into his bag and pulled out an object wrapped in a clear evidence pouch.
When he held it up, Richard’s eyes widened—it was something he had only ever seen in documentaries or photos, never in person.
A Familiar Face
The officer reached into his bag again, this time pulling out a folder thick with mugshots. One by one, he laid the photographs out in front of Richard. “Do you recognize any of these men?” he asked.
Richard stared at the photos, feeling a chill run down his spine. It was something he’d only ever seen on crime shows—never in real life. But now, under the fluorescent lights of the zoo’s office, it was happening to him.
Photo after photo passed by. Then he stopped.
One face looked familiar. The man in the picture wasn’t smiling, but his eyes, his posture—Richard recognized him.
“This one,” Richard said slowly, tapping the photo. “That’s the man who came to the zoo. The one who said he could help Carly.”
The officer’s expression darkened. “That’s what we were afraid of,” he said.
That man!
It was the same man—the one who had promised to help Carly, who claimed to be an expert. Richard’s mind raced with confusion and fear. Why would someone like that show up in a police mugshot?
He had done everything right—or so he thought. The background check, the documentation, the procedure—it had all seemed aboveboard. Carly had shown no signs of distress early on. So how could this man be involved in something criminal?
“What did he do to her?” Richard asked, his voice tense. “Is that why she couldn’t give birth?”
Illegal Procedures
The police officer’s explanation was clear, but unsettling. “This man does know tigers,” he said. “And technically, there was nothing illegal about him helping Carly get pregnant. But what we didn’t know at the time—and what’s come to light recently—is that he’s been involved in unauthorized medical experimentation on animals. Dangerous treatments. Unapproved substances.”
Richard’s chest tightened. “So… what did he do to Carly?”
The officer paused, then answered gravely. “We suspect he used Carly to test a new, experimental compound—something not legally approved for use on animals. It may have been injected or implanted during the insemination procedure. That’s likely what caused the swelling you found. And it’s probably the reason she’s unable to give birth naturally.”
Richard felt sick. The man he had trusted to help Carly had used her as a test subject—without consent, without care. Now her life, and the life of her unborn cub, were at risk because of it.
The truth was finally coming into focus—and it was worse than Richard had feared.
Revelations
During the ultrasound, the vet had discovered not just one anomaly—but two.
The first was the swelling Richard had noticed. The second, even more alarming, was a microchip embedded deep within Carly’s abdomen. Not in her shoulder or neck, where identification chips are usually placed—but inside her womb.
The vet immediately knew what it meant.
He followed police protocol and made the call without hesitation. This chip wasn’t standard—it was an illegally manufactured device, and the man who had inseminated Carly was already under investigation for unauthorized medical experiments.
What the chip was meant to do—whether it was for tracking, data collection, or something more sinister—remained unknown. But one thing was clear: it had no business being inside an animal’s reproductive system. The fact that it was implanted without approval, without knowledge, and during a seemingly routine procedure made it all the more disturbing.
Now the police had what they were looking for. But Carly still needed surgery—and time was running out.
Chip Removal
With steady hands and focused coordination, the police officer assisted the vet in removing the illegal microchip from Carly’s abdomen. The procedure was delicate, but it went smoothly. Once the chip was safely out, they turned their full attention to the delivery.
The officer, despite his primary role in the investigation, didn’t hesitate to help. With the vet guiding the way, he assisted in delivering the cubs.
And then, at last, it happened.
Carly gave birth—not to just one cub, but two.
They weren’t ordinary tiger cubs. Something about their size, markings, or behavior hinted that they were... different. Unusual. Possibly the result of the illegal treatment she’d been subjected to.
But to Richard, none of that mattered.
All he saw were two beautiful, breathing signs of life—and Carly, finally free from pain and resting peacefully. After everything they’d been through, the only thing that mattered now was that mother and cubs were safe.
Super Special
The second anomaly found during the ultrasound was even more surprising: only one of the two tiger cubs carried a rare gene. If sold, this cub could fetch a high price due to its unique genetic traits. But Richard wasn’t thinking about that—he was only focused on Carly and her health.
When the operation was complete and the cub was delivered, the vet was stunned. It was one thing to see the rare tiger on the monitor, but seeing it with his own eyes was something else entirely.
The cub’s appearance was striking—truly beautiful.
Precious Treasure
One of the baby tigers was born with incredibly rare genes. The vet told Richard that the chances of a tiger like this being born were one in a million. In fact, it was the first time the vet had ever seen such a beautiful and unique tiger in person. Just witnessing its birth felt like a once-in-a-lifetime gift.
It could have been sold for a fortune—but that never crossed Richard’s mind.
All he cared about was keeping the cub safe, with Carly, right where it belonged.
Maxi and Leli
Richard named the two cubs Maxi and Leli, choosing to keep them both at the zoo. After everything they had been through together, he couldn’t bear the thought of breaking the bond he shared with Carly and her babies.
The police eventually tracked down and arrested the man responsible, putting an end to his illegal activities.
And so, surrounded by his beloved tigers, Richard continued life at the zoo—grateful, peaceful, and finally content.
This story is a work of fiction. All characters and events are entirely imaginary. Any photos shown are for illustrative purposes only.