by Jan Burchett
“And they’re not far away, either,” said Ben. He looked up the slope to a small clump of birch trees. “Just beyond there.”
They scrambled up the steep slope. Zoe’s head was still spinning. She stumbled. Ben grabbed her arm and steadied her.
The moon had risen now and the sky was clear of clouds. Moonlight shined down upon the snow, making it sparkle. Ben bent down and inspected the ground.
“Tracks,” he said. “Leading away from the avalanche to the clump of trees. Look! An adult and a cub. That’s them.”
They crept forward. The trees gave way to a small clearing. Zoe saw a movement ahead, and pulled Ben down out of sight.
In the middle of the clearing stood Rani with Prince by her side. She was sniffing at something on the snow-covered ground.
Suddenly, she lifted her head and gave a low mewing sound. And then she was off across the mountain, Prince bounding along behind her.
“She’s tracking something,” said Ben. “What is it?” He ran over to some marks in the snow. “They’re snow leopard tracks,” he called. “There are two sets, and they’re definitely not adult. I think they’re even smaller than Prince’s prints are!”
Zoe came up to him, a huge grin on her face. “It has to be the missing cubs!” she said. “Let’s go, I can’t miss this.”
They didn’t have to go far. Hiding under a rock outcropping, Rani was pushing and nuzzling at three wriggling cubs.
“They’re all safe!” said Zoe, her eyes shining as she watched the babies climbing all over their mother.
Ben looked at his sister and laughed softly. He could see by her expression that Zoe was under the influence of cuteness overload. She deserves to be happy after all she did, he thought.
Rani gave each of her cubs a good lick. “Aw, Prince is playing with his mother’s tail,” whispered Zoe. “He’s definitely bigger than the others.”
“It looks like the other two are girls,” said Ben. The two little ones jumped on each other in a mock fight.
Then Rani stood up. “I think she’s content now that they’re all safe,” said Zoe. “It must be wonderful for her to be home again.”
“Time for us to go home, too,” said Ben.
They waited until Rani had moved farther up the slope, her cubs jostling each other as they followed. Then Zoe hit the BUG’s hot key to call Erika.
“Am I glad to hear from you!” came her voice. “I just flew over and saw the fresh avalanche. Are you both all right?”
“Better than all right,” said Zoe. “Mission accomplished! Rani and Prince are back where they belong.”
“And Rani found her other two cubs,” said Ben. “They’re looking good. Your food drops must have kept them going.”
“Wonderful!” Erika exclaimed. “I’ll send you coordinates for a pick-up point. I’m afraid it will be farther down the mountain, though.”
Zoe suddenly realized how sick she felt now that the excitement was over. “Down’s good,” she told Erika, a weak smile on her face.
Inside the warm plane, Ben and Zoe dug in to plates of steaming rice and chicken. Now that she was in a pressurized cabin, Zoe was beginning to feel better.
“I’ll just do a final flyby to check on Rani and the cubs,” Erika said from the cockpit. “Since it’s not light yet, we’ll have to use the heat-seeking monitor. Check it for me, please.”
Erika turned the plane in a slow dive.
They passed over the protected area. Ben and Zoe watched the monitor closely. Soon, small red shapes appeared. “Rodents,” said Ben.
Then something flashed across the screen. “That was a goat, I think,” added Zoe. “There’s plenty of food for our snow leopards tonight.”
And then they saw them. One large red glow next to three smaller ones, huddling in the safety of a rocky den.
Zoe checked the BUG for Prince’s signal. “That’s them,” she said happily.
Ben nodded. “Aw,” he said. “I bet they’re all curled up with Rani’s tail wrapped around them.”
Zoe laughed. “Now who’s the one experiencing cuteness overload?”
Ben blushed. “Whatever,” he said.
Erika took the plane out of its dive and they flew away over the majestic peaks of the Himalayas.
Ben pulled out his BUG and clicked the key for WILD HQ.
“I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for your call,” boomed Uncle Stephen’s voice. “How’d it go?”
“Mission accomplished!” said Ben. “All the leopards are home where they belong.”
“Excellent!” said their uncle. “Hurry back. I want you to try out the sunny beach setting in the climate chamber!”
Zoe caught Ben’s eye. They grinned at each other. Being a WILD operative was just about the best thing in the world.
“Cool!” cried Zoe. “We’re on our way!”
THE AUTHORS
Jan Burchett and Sara Vogler were already friends when they discovered they both wanted to write children’s books, and that it was much more fun to do it together. They have since written over a hundred and thirty stories ranging from educational books and stories for younger readers to young adult fiction. They have written for series such as Dinosaur Cove and Beast Quest, and they are authors of the Gargoylz books.
THE ILLUSTRATOR
Diane Le Feyer discovered a passion for drawing and animation at the age of five. In 2002, she graduated with honors from the Ecole Emile Cohl school of design. Diane worked as a character designer, 3D modeler, and animator in the video games industry before joining the Cartoon Saloon animation studio, where she worked as a director, animator, illustrator, and character designer. Diane was also a part of the early design and development of the movie The Secret of Kells.
GLOSSARY
altitude (AL-ti-tood)—the height of something above sea level
avalanche (AV-uh-lanch)—a large mass of snow, ice, or earth that suddenly moves down the side of a mountain
endangered (en-DAYN-jurd)—in danger or threatened
extinct (ek-STINGKT)—if a plant or animal has gone extinct, then it has died out
habitation (hab-i-TAY-shuhn)—a home or dwelling
massive (MASS-iv)—large, heavy, or solid
mountaineer (moun-tuh-NEER)—someone who climbs mountains
piton (PEE-tahn)—a metal spike that looks like a big needle that is used to connect rope to while climbing.
terrain (tuh-RAYN)—ground or land
threatened (THRET-uhnd)—at risk of harm
treacherous (TRECH-ur-uhss)—not to be trusted, or dangerous
SNOW LEOPARD
STATUS: ENDANGERED
The snow leopard lives in the mountainous regions of Central Asia at altitudes of up to 20,000 feet. They will descend to 6,000 feet to hunt prey. They are around 6 feet long, and half of that length is their long tails.
HUNTING: Snow leopards areH2sometimes hunted for their bones, which are used in some traditional Chinese medicines. They are also trapped for their fur, despite the practice being banned. Herders sometimes hunt the leopards that kill their domesticated livestock, since those herders depend on their livestock for survival.
HOSTILE HABITAT: Snow leopards live in an extremely dangerous environment. While they are incredibly agile and sure-footed, the harsh weather and slippery surfaces mean a single misstep can cause them to fall to their deaths.
But IT’S NOT ALL BAD FOR THE SNOW LEOPARD! Snow leopards have had protected status in India for over 50 years now. The use of snow leopard fur is illegal. Many conservation organizations work with local inhabitants to help protect the snow leopard from being hunted, by teaching herders how to better protect their livestock. In some areas, people are given money as compensation when a snow leopard kills their livestock.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Zoe gets caught under
a lot of snow after an avalanche. Write a short story told from her perspective about what she feels and thinks as she struggles to find her way out.
2. Uncle Stephen trusts his nephew and niece, Ben and Zoe, to perform important tasks for him. Has an adult ever asked you to do something important? Write about a time when someone asked you for help.
3. Write your own WILD Rescue adventure! Where do you go? What animal do you save? What kinds of cool gadgets do you use during your mission? Write about it.
WRITING PROMPTS
1. Ben and Zoe often have to lie to people about their missions in order to make sure they succeed. Is it ever okay to lie? Why or why not?
2. The twins love animals. What’s your favorite animal? Why?
3. Zoe and Ben have to work together to be successful in their missions. Talk about times when you’ve had to team up with others.
VISIT:
www.capstonepub.com
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Wild Rescue books are published by Stone Arch Books
A Capstone Imprint
1710 Roe Crest Drive
North Mankato, Minnesota 56003
www.capstonepub.com
First published by Stripes Publishing Ltd.
1 The Coda Centre
189 Munster Road
London SW6 6AW
© Jan Burchett and Sara Vogler, 2012
Interior art © Diane Le Feyer of Cartoon Saloon, 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available at the Library of Congress website.
ISBN: 978-1-4342-3772-9 (library binding)
ISBN: 978-1-4342-8670-3 (ebook)
Summary: Following an avalanche in the Himalayas, a snow leopard and her cub have been separated from their territory and forced to eat sheep from a nearby village in order to survive. But now the locals have plans to protect their livestock by poisoning the leopards! The twins must brave sub-zero temperatures and treacherous slopes to find the elusive cats and guide them to safety.
Cover Art: Sam Kennedy
Graphic Designer: Russell Griesmer
Production Specialist: Michelle Biedscheid
Design Credits: Shutterstock 51686107 (p. 4-5),
Shutterstock 51614464 (back cover, p. 148-149, 150, 152)
