King of the Wilderness

He skillfully emphasized the words "country of origin" and "guardian country." This seemingly polite opening statement conceals an extremely cunning subtext: this bear is Canada’s bear. It has problems now, and as the source, you have certain responsibilities.

He began to distance his institution from any blame: "Our team has provided the world’s top medical equipment, the most scientific nutritional distribution, and the most professional behavioral observation. All physiological indicators show that there are no flaws in our work."

Then, he shifted his tone to reveal his true intention, "Therefore, after our expert committee ruled out all external factors, we were forced to attribute the root of the problem to the original family trauma that existed when December was first discovered."

"A cub intentionally abandoned by its mother may inherently have certain congenital psychological defects that our current scientific level cannot detect. We feel powerless about this."

He shrugged, passing the responsibility onto the Canadian representative with a "we tried our best, but the child is just too flawed" demeanor.

However, Isabella Leclair, a woman who has been navigating Ottawa’s political circles for over twenty years, was clearly not so easily dealt with.

She adjusted her glasses, her gaze behind the lenses sharp and cold.

Her voice was equally cold, but each word was as precise as a legal provision: "Director Fisher, we acknowledge the regrets you mentioned, but you seem to have overlooked a more crucial legal fact."

She took a document from her folder and gently placed it in the center of the table.

"According to the ’International Wildlife Cross-Border Assistance and Responsibility Transfer Memorandum’ we jointly signed under the United Nations framework, Chapter 3, Clause 7, Item B."

She didn’t even need to look at the document to accurately recite the provision.

"From the moment December was formally transferred from Canada to your center, all the unconditional temporary guardianship, research rights, and daily management rights, as well as all responsibilities arising therefrom, were transferred simultaneously."

Her voice raised slightly: "Director Fisher, this means that regardless of any congenital defects or original trauma this cub may have, how to assess, respond to, and resolve these issues has become an unshakable contractual responsibility of your center."

"We Canadians entrusted you with this heavy responsibility, believing in your professionalism. But we care more about the results. The current result does not seem satisfactory."

This statement, like a perfectly executed roundhouse kick, not only returned the ball but also struck back at Fisher’s face with even greater force.

For the first time, Director Fisher’s expression turned a little unpleasant.

Meanwhile, the International Animal Protection Foundation’s observer, Mark Jenkins, at this moment, like a shark smelling blood, immediately joined the fray.

His tone carried a tinge of moral superiority: "Yes, Director Fisher, the current outcome is that a polar bear cub, which symbolized hope for the species and garnered much attention, is dying of depression in your top-notch facility."

Jenkins leaned forward, aggressively: "Please, Director Fisher, does this mean that your center’s rescue plan was fundamentally flawed from the get-go?"

The ball was collectively pressed down by the two guests, attempting to hold it firmly under the research center’s feet.

Director Fisher’s face darkened as he looked toward Dr. MacKeez, seated at the end: "Dr. MacKeez, as the chief scientist and rescue plan formulator for the project, I’d like to hear your opinion."

Dr. MacKeez raised her head, fearlessly meeting everyone’s gaze, her voice clear and firm: "Director, everyone. The psychological issues occurring in December are an unfortunate matter none of us wanted to see, and there were indeed misjudgments in our evaluation."

She didn’t give them time to react and continued: "Our rescue plan is based on the successful experience of saving hundreds of wild animals over the past decades, and it is scientifically rigorous. But we ignored December’s greatest particularity."

"It wasn’t rescued from the wild by our research center’s professional team. It was saved from a near-death situation by a specific person."

"In those ten days, when its life was most fragile and mind most blank, Lin Yu’an was the only warmth and food source it could access."

"Therefore, in December’s cognition, Lin Yu’an is not a rescuer, not a caretaker. It sees him as its family, as its mother!"

"Our mistake was underestimating how profound this cross-species imprint is and attempting to sever an emotional link with conventional scientific processes. We failed as facts proved."

She candidly admitted the failure and then immediately proposed her solution.

"Therefore, Director, I believe the top priority is not to pursue responsibility here, nor to discuss those distant, worst-case possibilities, but to take immediate action and seek Lin’s assistance!"

"The root of December’s problem stems from severe depression triggered by separation anxiety. Perhaps Lin Yu’an’s appearance is the only and last chance to heal December!"