Poacher Peril by J. Burchett Page B

Tora’s health. The first morning light was beginning to trickle through the trees.
    â€œHow could we have thought he was a poacher?” Zoe whispered to Ben as the little cub nuzzled her chin. “He loves animals.”
    â€œWe shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions so quickly,” Ben agreed. “People aren’t always how they seem. Catur seemed so nice when we first met him.”
    â€œShould we let Wicaksono know that we tagged him?” said Zoe.
    â€œWe can’t,” said Ben. “Then we’d have to tell him all about Wild. They seem to believe we’re just tourists who stumbled across this horrible plot. It shouldn’t do him any harm.”
    Back at the village, the wooden cage was winched on to the back of the sanctuary’s truck. The cubs were put into a smaller box. Zoe and Ben stroked Tora’s magnificent fur through the bars as she slept.
    â€œGoodbye,” said Zoe. “You’re going to a lovely new home where you and your children can be safe.”
    Barbara came over to join them. “She’ll need a name. Any ideas?”
    They pretended to think. “How about Tora?” suggested Ben.
    â€œTora it is. And the cubs? They’re a boy and girl.”

    Zoe opened her mouth.
    â€œDon’t you dare suggest Fluffy and Wuffy!” warned Ben with a grin.
    â€œWhat are your names?” asked Barbara. “We’ll name them after you.”
    â€œBen and Zoe,” they chorused.
    â€œPerfect!” said Barbara.
    â€œWhat happens next?” asked Ben.
    â€œOur vet will do an examination and tag them, like you do dogs and cats,” said Barbara. “Then they’ll be set free in the reserve. Hopefully the mother will establish her territory and live a long and happy life. There’s a male there already so she may have more cubs in time. Which is what we need if we’re going to save the Sumatran tigers.”
    She turned, paid the villagers and got into the cab of the truck. Then she leant out of the window, waving a notepad at Ben and Zoe.
    â€œStick your email address on here,” she called. “I’ll send you an update.”
    â€œAnd what about the poachers?” asked Zoe as she wrote. “There was Catur and two others, and they’re still free.”
    â€œThat shop over there is where Catur’s selling animal parts,” added Ben.
    Barbara smiled. “I’ll tell the police. Those villains will soon know what it’s like to be hunted!”
    With a throaty roar, the truck set off. Ben and Zoe watched until it had bumped out of sight in the early morning sunshine. Tora and her cubs were on their way to a safe new home.
    â€œI hope they don’t find our little tracking device when they examine Tora,” said Ben, as they walked slowly through the market place.
    â€œThey’ll never be able to work out where it came from.” Zoe grinned. “You know what’s really good?”
    â€œFish and chips,” said Ben.
    â€œNo,” said Zoe, giving him a friendly shove. “That collector will have to do without her family of stuffed tigers. I wonder if Erika’s got any info on her.”
    â€œHope she’s been caught,” said Ben through gritted teeth.
    Zoe nodded. “That would be perfect. Course, we won’t be able to put any of this on our website.”
    â€œIt would make a great blog,” agreed Ben. “It is a pity we’ve got to keep it all secret.”
    Zoe gave a huge yawn. “I need some sleep.”
    â€œAnd I need food!” added Ben. “I wasn’t joking about the fish and chips.” He pulled out his BUG. “I’ve got the hang of this now. We must let Uncle Stephen know about Tora.” He pressed the hot key for Wild HQ.
    â€œHello, Ben.” Uncle Stephen’s voice came through loud and clear. “Is everything all right?” he asked. “Has our friend gone to her new