The Zookeeper

Ch. 3: Newest Addition

For the next hour or so, Luz stayed with Tina through the whole cub birth as Camila and the vets worked to make sure the Tiger mother was as calm through it as they could make her. After a while, it was over, and Camila said the words everyone wants to hear.

"It's a boy."

Luz smiled as Camila held the tiger cub in her arms, rocking it gently as it gave a tiny roar.

"My child." Tina said with some tears in her eyes.

"You did good, girl." Luz said, rubbing Tina behind the ears.

"Now, we need to make sure that he's healthy and then we'll have him back with his mom before she knows it." Camila said.

"Please be careful with my cub." Tina said, knowing that only Luz could hear her.

"They will be." Luz whispered.

"And tell them his name is...." Tina said as she thought of a name, "Tyler."

Luz nodded. Because of her reputation, she got to "name" the animals, when in reality, she just said the names the animals told her.

"Got it." Luz said before she walked off with the vets, checking on the tiger cub.

"Alright, let's get little Tyler checked out so he can get back to his mama."

"Tyler? That's what you named him?" Camila asked.

"Yeah, I think it fits." Luz said with a smile.

Tyler made small little noises. Luz was upset that he couldn't talk to her yet, but he was also so cute that she didn't care.

"Don't worry little guy, you'll find your voice someday soon." Luz said as she tickled his nose.

Camila smiled as she watched her daughter play with the cub. Her gift was truly something that made her happy, though, Camila always has wondered where it came from.

'Maybe someday we'll know but for now, it's not important.' Camila thought as she finished Tyler's check up.

"Alright, he doesn't seem to have any problems or health issues."

"So, he can go back to Tina?"

"Of course, it's cruel to separate a mother from her child for too long." Camila said as Luz gently picked up Tyler.

"Alright little one, let's get you back to your mama."

Luz carried him back to the exhibit, there were some guests watching as she brought in the cub and sat him down next to his mom. Tina got up and walked over to Luz, giving her a few licks on the cheek.

Luz giggled at the licks as she hugged Tina a bit.

"You're welcome, girl." Luz said as she kneeled down and set Tyler on his feet. "Time for your first steps, lil T."

He stumbled a little before walking towards Tina. The guest from above cooed and awed at the cute scene as Tina licked her cub on the before she guide him to the feeding area. He was just born, he was bound to be hungry.

"Alright, I'll leave you to your cub, I'll go tell the crowd about your species." Luz said.

As Luz left the new mother to her cub, Amity had just finished up tending to the giraffes before giving a zoo tour to a group of people.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here we are at the tiger exhibit." Amity said, "Now fun fact about Tiger's-"

"And you're lucky." Luz said, cutting Amity off, "Sorry about interrupting, Amity, but I have some great news. Our tiger, Tina, has just given birth."

The kids of the group gasp as they moved closer to the exhibit rails, looking over to see Tina and Tyler sitting together in the sun.

"What's his name?!" A little girl asked with a smile at how cute the baby was.

"Tyler the tiger." Luz said with a smile.

Tina laid down and started licking Tyler. Luz smiled, it reminded her a lot of when she first came here and saw Tina getting groomed by her mom.

'Time flies, huh?' Luz thought as she and Amity began doing the tour together.