The leader’s job is to keep all the females and their babies safe
and above all,
happy.
But he’s new to the role
and it’s proving harder than he anticipated.
The females are not easy to please.
They demand constant attention.
Their thick coats are made to withstand the tough mountain conditions
and require daily grooming.
If he doesn’t indulge them sufficiently,
they’ll kick him out
and replace him with a more attentive male.
The females have him exactly
where they want him.
Autumn brings him an additional challenge.
Winters here are harsh.
If the family is to survive, they’ll need to fatten up.
The leader is feeling the pressure.
He’s found them a small piece of paradise.
The forest’s conifers produce a seasonal feast.
Pine nuts are high in calories.
Finally, the females are happy
and the leader can take a moment to relax.
But his reverie is short-lived.
A rival family.
It’s led by the largest, most aggressive
male in the forest.
This will be a test of the young leader’s courage.
The females expect him to defend the family.
He puts on a show of bravado,
but he knows he’s in trouble.
His rival’s strength and experience prevails.
It’s a humiliating defeat.
The family must abandon their feast,
and the leader will be expected to find alternative arrangements
for his disappointed females.