They've learnt to fear us over time..

they do not want to show

themselves.. smart creatures.

I decide to stay quiet and not move an inch..

hoping the yip yip will start again..

I gradually get down lower

with my hands and feet tucked under my body, trying to look like an old rock.




I must've dozed off at some point during this moment because just a minute later I felt something moving by.




Thinking it was a snake or

some other creature

I shot open my eyes.. and let me tell you

What I saw next would be

ingrained in my memories forever.




I saw this animal the size of a

medium sized dog just a few feet

away from me with a blank look on it's dark eyes

From the look of it's nostrils wiggling it was taking on my scent, trying to figure out what I was.




I slowly sat up, deathly worried

about scaring it away.




My expression betrayed my

true hidden emotions.

I had been right all this time..




The Tasmanian tiger was still

around and the proof was right in front of me!.




I gave a slight smile, trying to

ease my shaking from the excitement.

At once the animal backed away,

Emitting a rasping growl and opening it's mouth wide as it could manage.




Despite the display I showed little fear.




"Ooh the threat yawn I never

imagined I'd ever see it in person.




Ohh how I wanted to touch this beautiful animal thought to have been lost to history

and know that this is real and not just a dream.




The Tasmanian tiger growled again

And I soon found out the reason behind the unprovoked aggression... I let out a gasp.




Over in the thicket of the trees

I saw three tiny furry faces peeking out.




Tasmanian tiger cubs..




I couldn't believe it

she was a mother.




I resisted the urge to shout for joy

And calmly watched the thylacine

lope back to where her babies sat and they all stared back at me with caution.




I just gave them a friendly wave thinking they would head deeper into the trees and go on their way.




But the striped family just

continued with their stare down.




I decided against getting my

camera and snapping a photo.

The Tasmanian tigers were better off living in peace with no humans knowing they still lived anyway.




"Sigh.. I wish I could escape from my human worries and be just like you guys.. sure animals don't always have it the easy way but at least they don't have to worry about taxes or learning to drive or getting a job or even- Hey what are you doing?"




The mother tassie tiger

had left her

cubs in between the trees and

was now approaching me

with little fear.. did she understand what I said to myself somehow?

Impossible... this was a wild

animal not another person.. surely she did not know my deepest desires and thoughts.




The thylacine now sat inches from my knee.




I was a little uncomfortable

at how she stared at my leg, like a dog would do with a large meaty bone.




I should've seen it coming..




I was about to probably shoo her away

When I felt a sharp prick of pain in my leg.




"Owww!".




She bit me.. the mother

Tasmanian tiger actually bit me.. I could see drops of blood on her teeth my blood.




I furrowed my brow.




"Get out of here" I said

throwing a hand at her... she did even flinch.




"Go on get! Go back to your babies"




The Tasmanian tiger just sat down on her haunches

Realising the

animal wasn't going anywhere

I get up to leave.