Other keepers spoke openly now. “They’re dangerous, unpredictable. Best to start fresh with a new breeding program.” Zachary sat in silence, anger caged in his chest. They spoke of the tigers as problems, statistics, not as creatures who once curled against Daisy’s fur like helpless children.
The director remained pragmatic. “The experiment served its purpose. It drew crowds and headlines. But sentimentality has no place here. Tigers must be treated as tigers.” Zachary knew that it was logical, but still, he often felt a twitch of irritation. They didn’t understand. They never had. Only Daisy had ever truly known.