There is something missing from our world. The Amazing Creatures that time has left behind. But what if we could bring them back? What if extinction didn't have to be forever? We're going on a safari with a difference as wildlife adventurer Nigel Marvin plunges into Prehistory to rescue creatures on the brink of extinction. He plans to bring them back to the safety of the present and give them a second chance. This time, Nigel and his team go back 13 million years to rescue a dolphin that looked like a swordfish. Welcome to the Ultimate Wildlife Sanctuary. Welcome to Prehistoric Park.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
After several successful missions, Prehistoric Park is turning out to be a colossal success. Already the park includes a herd of hadrosaurs, a small gathering of temnospondyls, and, most recently, a horde of Eurypterids.
Now, though, Nigel wants to focus on a group that is under represented in the park: the whales.
In his den, Nigel is looking over pictures of whales. Among them are a blue white serpentine one, a colossal sperm whale, a picture resembling the park's own Macrodelphinus, one picture of a dog like creature, and one that resembles a seal.
"It's amazing how far whales have come since the beginning of their evolution. They started out as hoofed creatures that lookedlike dogs, such as Pakicetus. Then, 47 million years ago, comes Ambulocetus, which looked more like an otter, and was well on the way to becoming a fully aquatic creature. In the late Eocene, monsters like Basilosaurus taking the role that the mosasaurs had left open. It was in the Miocene that whales hit their apex: there were well over a dozen genera, ranging from ones no bigger than dolphin to the killer spern whale, Livyatan. Our target today is one of those dolphins: Eurhinodelphis, one of the closest relatives to our own Macrodelphinus. These guys may have been great hunters, but they lived like modern dolphins, and I would love to have a pod of them at Prehistoric Park.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
While Nigel draws up the final plans to rescue the Eurhinodelphis, Bob is already working on the their exhibit.
And dealing with a few residents who need to learn something about boundaries.
Bob is busy helping a group of keepers set up an underwater pen. Nearby, Marcus and Lucas are chasing away one of the park's Pelagornis.
"Stay away," remarks Lucas," you overgrown pe;licans. This isn't your feeding grounds!"
Nearby, Pterrie watches the scene with what appears to be amusement.
Bob seems to share the feeling.
"Now, the only problem I've got with Nigel's current mission is that he chose to put the exhibit in an area where the sea birds are constantly flocking towards. Otherwise, I'm fine with what he rescues: they're only a bunch of giant dolphins. I'm prepared if he brings another Megalodon back, though."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
To rescue Macrodelphinus, Nigel will have to go back 1o million years to the final part of the Miocene. Here, modern mammals were beginning to take over, while older varieties died off. Hopefully, he can avoid dealing with the problematic ones.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
On the other side of the portal, the Ancient Mariner emerges into a pristine landscape. To the left of the ship are sandy beaches, which give way to grassland and forest. To their right, the calm sea fades out into the horizon, with not one cloud in the sky.
"Beautiful, isn't it," remarks Tristan, watching the sky and sea meet in the distance.
"...indeed it is," responds Michelle, transfixed by the calmness of the sea.
"Alright," begins Nigel, "let's get started. The dolphins will probably be out in the deeper oceans, but they might go to shallower water to breed, so I think we should split up. I'll go search out in the open sea, so why don't you two go and search the shallows?"
"Well-" begins Tristan.
"OKAY!" enthusiastically responds Michelle. Perhaps a little too enthusiastically.
"Alright then. I'll leave the communicators on, call me if you find anything."
The two teams soon split off, careful to watch for any predators that might be after them.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Meanwhile, back at the park, Susan is examining the Troodon pen. A few weeks ago, Suzanne observed the park's Troodon pair setting up a nest. Now, she wants to see if they can add Troodon to the park's breeding successes.
Cautiously, Suzanne approaches the nest. Troody is sitting on it, and appears to be very tired. She's also breathing very heavily, for some reason.
As Suzanne gets closer, Troody's attention suddenly shifts onto the head vet, eyeing her with intense scrutiny. Surprised, Suzanne backs down for a moment.
Troody's attention is soon stolen, however, by the arrival of Rascal. The male makes a chirping noise toward her, trying to calm her.
So far, it doesn't seem to be working.
Suzanne, curious, backs up a little more.
This seems to ease Troody's stress. She soon returns Rascal's call, before shaking herself and standing up, revealing her nest.
And, within it, 12 cylindrical eggs.
It appears that Troodon have moved closer to de-extinction.
Suzanne is left in awe at the sight of the eggs. She's quickly returned to reality, though, when Troody leaves her nest. Rascal takes her place and, after carefully patting down the nest material with his feet, sits down on the eggs.
"Wow, this is really exciting. You see, we have fossils that prove that male dromaeosaurs brooded their eggs, but I never thought I'd be able to see it with my own eyes. It's amazing."
Suzanne is soon silenced, however, by rascal, who gives her a dinosaurian version of the evil eye. He clearly does not like Suzanne watching him brooding his eggs. Taking the hint, the head vet retreats, leaving the father to tend to his eggs in peace.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
AN: Read and review. This is Flameal15k, signing off.
