Cutting Open the Log
Metal teeth bit into damp bark as the hand saw moved steadily back and forth across the trunk. Sawdust collected in a soft orange pile over the mossy ground beneath the opening.
A uniformed ranger knelt low on the forest floor, guiding the steel blade away from the dark hollow space inside. From the interior of the deadfall, a small red panda peered out, pressing its black-furred paws flat against the rim of the cavity.
Above them, a second red panda crouched along the curve of the mossy wood. Its banded tail lifted into the cool mountain mist, shifting balance as it watched the ranger work.
Lifting the Small Animal
The ranger paused to set the saw aside against a boulder. She spread a thick gray wool blanket across the uneven terrain directly below the opening.
Reaching inside with gloved hands, she gathered the small creature securely around its chest. She pulled it gently into the daylight, supporting its hind legs as she lowered it onto the fabric.
The animal rested quietly against the wool, letting out a soft chattering breath. Its companion scrambled down from the top of the trunk, stopping just inches away on the damp soil.
Tending the Injured Paw
The ranger pulled a compact red medical kit from her backpack and unzipped the lid. She laid out clean gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, and a small roll of white adhesive tape.
She took the animal’s front right paw between her thumb and forefinger, examining a raw scrape along the lower joint. The red panda kept its eyes fixed on her hands while she wiped away dirt particles with a sterile pad.
Wrapping clean white tape around the wrist, she smoothed down the edges until the dressing sat snug and secure. The second animal crept forward onto the blanket, pressing its damp nose directly against the newly bandaged paw.
Walking Back to the Bamboo
Both red pandas touched muzzles in a brief nuzzle before turning their attention back to the surrounding trees. The injured creature tested its weight on all four paws, finding solid footing on the blanket.
The ranger packed her supplies, zipped the kit shut, and strapped her pack across her shoulders. She stood up slowly, stepping back to give both animals a clear path toward the slope.
Side by side, the two red pandas trotted across a fallen mossy trunk, disappearing into the dense green bamboo grove while the ranger watched from the trail.
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