The tiger pivoted fast, ears twitching, her body low. For a heart-stopping second, it looked like she might give chase. A second siren began to wail. Meera whipped around, jaws parted in frustration. Her claws flexed against the dirt, her chest heaving with each breath. Visitors began backing away, some crouching low behind barriers.
“She’s going into flight mode,” one keeper yelled. “Get that siren off, now!” But it kept wailing. Nibbles was now tucked behind a fake rock formation, peeking around the edge. He didn’t bark this time—he waited. Watching. His tiny body trembled with uncertainty. He didn’t know what he’d done wrong.