Artyom, a young and energetic park ranger, had recently started working at the “Golden Steppes” National Park, located in the southern part of Russia. His love for nature and animals had been evident since childhood, and he had always dreamed of a job like this. Every day, Artyom looked forward to new adventures and the chance to help the park’s inhabitants.
The “Golden Steppes” National Park was home to a wide variety of animal species, but it was especially known for its population of steppe lions. Around 30 lions lived in the park, and Artyom felt a deep sense of responsibility for their health and well-being. One early morning, he set out in his SUV to patrol the park’s territory.
The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, painting the sky above the steppes with soft shades of pink and orange. The air was fresh and cool, filled with the scent of blooming grasses. Artyom’s route took him through a rocky area in the western part of the park, where one of the lion prides resided.
These cliffs, towering above the plain, were an ideal habitat for the lions: they offered shelter, shaded spots for resting, and vantage points for hunting. As he approached the cliffs, Artyom spotted a group of young lion cubs playing near the edge. Their carefree jumping and chasing made the ranger smile, but also put him on alert.
He began uncoiling ropes, thinking through the best way to secure the cub so it could be pulled up safely. Just then, Artyom heard the long-awaited sound of approaching vehicles—his colleagues had arrived to help.
Without wasting time, the rangers got straight to work, following Artyom’s instructions. Together, they assembled a system of ropes and began lowering one end toward the trapped cub. As the one who initiated the rescue, Artyom took on the most dangerous part—tying the ropes around the cub himself.
Carefully approaching the edge of the cliff, Artyom started lowering the rope. The cub seemed to understand that the humans were trying to help and showed no aggression. Its amber eyes were filled with both fear and hope.
With great effort, Artyom managed to loop the rope around the cub’s body. The animal instinctively jerked, nearly falling into the ravine, but Artyom spoke to it in a calming voice. Remarkably, the cub seemed to understand and relaxed, allowing him to finish tying the ropes.
Once the cub was securely fastened, Artyom gave the signal to the other rangers to begin the lift. It was no easy task—the young lion’s weight was considerable, and the unstable surface of the cliff made things even more difficult. The rangers pulled with all their strength, slowly raising the cub up…