There are very few who haven't at some moment or another felt compelled to give to charity, to give back. Of those, a reasonable amount choose to help animals who need care. Attention. Love. Animal shelters, veterinary clinics, heck, even a few pet retirement homes receive donations from a willing, concerned public.
Her neck cracks on the first try, allowing an almost painless death. She doesn't even gasp as the light leaves her eyes.
Then of course, there are those who donate to various "Save the –" groups. "Save the Tortoises." "Save the Whales." "Save the Tigers." The wording may differ, but the meaning is the same. There are very few that will ask themselves the most difficult question of all: why do we care about these particular species?After all, the predators and the prey are equally important in an ecosystem. In some ways, they need each other. Why, then, does it matter to us?
The first bite is sweet. The faint scent of the fields above still clings to her skin. She bathes in the stream regularly, so her scent is weak, but there's still a warm tickle. Honeysuckle, maybe.
In a word: cuteness. Sadly, human sympathy is often driven by how much an animal can be related to, instinctively loved. It's the driving force of domestic evolution, of the extinction of species with particularly beautiful coats. It's an understandable instinct, one as difficult to control as it is to isolate.
The shining blond hair only gets in the way as they try to get at the neck, the shoulders. They pick slim strands out of their teeth, irritated. There's a faint down, the first flush of puberty. It makes the meat almost chewy in its fuzziness.
Similarly, there are species that inspire us to revulsion and hatred. Spiders, reptiles, amphibians… just because they're unappealing doesn't mean that they aren't dying. In some cases, the cute ones may be the ones that need protection the least. Housecats prey on ecosystem-essential rodents, dogs encourage the waste of plastic, and – but of course, they're cute. They have the big eyes and soft hair that demand love and protection from humans.
But can such shallow physical markers really reflect similarity to humanity? Even if they do, is that a relevant concern?
In the background, the clack and hum of communication goes on. They wonder what will become of the strange object they found. They hope to study it later, but now, dinner is just too delightful to ignore.
After all, how can one really measure intelligence? Feeling? Are those well-meaning individuals playing God, deciding which species to save and which to abhor?
With a soft crunch, he lifts his eyes to the strange monster before him. He watches in confusion as it makes quick motions. It stares at the remains of their meal on the table.
A moment later, it has blinded them and is preparing to attack.
He shades his eyes and prays for guidance.