Concerning the Amur Leopard

I realize that our friend, the female Amur Leopard, has not given an update in quite some time. I was, ah, hoping to wait until she had several hefty meals in her before I returned, seeing as how our conversation ended last time.

I do realize that it has been a few months, now, and that excuse is beginning to run thin. I promise you, I will get back in touch with her soon. Er... that is, once I can convince my nerves to calm down.

Apologies for the delay. The update will be soon, I promise.

Yours,
The Interpreter

Returned Pride

Yes, that's right. Those are ladies you see with me.

Four ladies. All of them choose me.

Three came from the troop I had been trying to move in on. I could not take control of their group, but these ladies left to find me anyway. I can tell, they have not had children for a long time. They were not happy with their Silverback. He was so old, after all.

So now, they join me, and I have my own ladies. My newest lady found us just last week. She was alone. At first, we were all worried to bring her in. Was she sick? Dying? We did not know.

But she is healthy. Just, very sad. She sits to the edges of the group most days. But she is still young enough to have children, so she is welcome here.

Yes, things are going well. Very well.

Moving Along

Puppies are much more playful now, Ma'am. Even when I no longer wish to play, they insist.

I have begun helping with small hunts, when Mother allows me. I usually have to stay in the back, and just do some running, but I hope to help bring something down soon.

I caught my own squirrel the other day, Ma'am! It was very exciting, though it was not a very fast squirrel. Sister says I just surprised it, as anyone could have. I choose then to not share it with Sister.

I must go now, Ma'am, to help watch Puppies while the hunt takes place. I am not invited this time. I believe I could be of help in the hunt, but when I try to tell someone, they say I would be of more help with the Puppies. Well, maybe they are right and maybe they are wrong. And maybe they will come back with empty mouths without my help.

Oh, but I guess I hope they do not, because I am hungry, Ma'am!

Saying Goodbye

Nervous. Strange.

Jumping not as easy today. Feeling...odd. Scared. Like no more beetles or grasses in the world. Like Nest is all mushed up. Missing.

Something is not right.

Him. There.

Not moving. Smell strange. Cold.

He is not jumping anymore. He lays in grass. No more seeds for him.

Must stay away. Not right. Stay back.

Still, his smell. Familiar...

Brother?



(Interpreter's Note: Rest in peace, my friend.)

What Is Important

Ah, you are back. The ocean always brings things back.

The rolling waves, the cool currents, oh how the sea cradles you in its...

Oh? What do you mean, you want to hear something new? Well, if you really do not wish to hear about my home and its wonders, then maybe this blog is not worth my time. Was this not meant to be a chance to speak to you humans about what matters most to us?

Hrumph. Very well. Recent news it is, then.

The strange walls are back, if you must know. They come every year. Almost like a plant or coral, but they extend on forever. Their most common catches are fish, though I have seen more than one of our own trapped in its grasp. I myself nearly was caught up the other day, but a lucky current pushed me to one side before I was entangled beyond hope.

Others, however, were not so lucky.

These are man things, that I am sure.

Hmm. Perhaps now I see why this blog could be of use to us. Yes, I do see now. I do have concerns to speak of.

Though, I will not cease to discuss the beauty of these oceans, even if you do not deem those ramblings important. They matter to me, so I shall speak of them. That was the agreement we struck upon.

Pushing Through

The Dry Season has taken its toll on each of us. We are in the thick of it, now.

My niece's son has had a rough go of it. He is losing weight pretty rapidly now. It seems to me he will have enough to survive on until the rains come back, but I never can say for certain.

Things will be over in due time. As matriarch, I must keep the herd going. Morale is down. It was not long after this time last year that...

No. That is something we must not think on.

My niece's son will make it. I will see to that personally.