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Zookeepers held off on intervening, unsure what to do. The panther showed no signs of hostility, in fact, it seemed calmer than it had in weeks. One of the keepers recognized the behavior immediately.
Just weeks earlier, the same panther had lost its only cub to illness. Since then, it had been quiet, withdrawn, and barely interested in food. Staff had worried deeply about its well-being.
Now, for the first time in days, the panther was alert, calm, and even affectionate. All because of a stray shiba inu puppy that had wandered into its enclosure.
