Forest Ranger: Starting with a Giant Panda Mom Clinging to Me
Chapter 36 - Guardian of the Forest

Chapter 36: Guardian of the Forest

Lin Tian glanced at the live stream comments and understood how the pangolin had appeared, feeling a bit helpless.

Who would’ve thought that casually digging at a burrow entrance would unearth a first-class protected animal?

Pangolins are extremely rare in China, truly deserving their status as a first-class protected species. If Panda Mom’s playful antics had caused harm to one, it would’ve been a serious offense.

“Alright, it’s okay now. On behalf of Panda Mom, I apologize. You’re fine now,” Lin Tian said, approaching the pangolin and gently stroking its scales to comfort it.

The pangolin, curled into a trembling ball, suddenly felt a warm presence. Lifting its head and seeing Lin Tian, it immediately felt a sense of trust.

It cautiously uncurled from its defensive ball, preparing to look up. But then it spotted Panda Mom behind Lin Tian and, startled, hid behind him again.

Lin Tian sighed helplessly and turned to Panda Mom. “Panda Mom, this pangolin isn’t food. Stop teasing it.”

“Ying ying.”

Panda Mom tilted her head, a bit confused, but obeyed Lin Tian’s words and waddled off to squat by another burrow entrance.

After shooing Panda Mom away, Lin Tian looked down at the pangolin crouching by his feet.

“It’s okay now.”

The pangolin slowly poked its head out, saw that Panda Mom wasn’t coming after it, and finally relaxed.

—Chichi

Standing on its hind legs, the pangolin sniffed Lin Tian’s scent with its long snout, clearly fond of it. It thought Lin Tian was impressive—even a big panda listened to him. Following him would surely be safe!

It felt a sense of security.

Lin Tian smiled, pulled some fruit from his pocket, and offered it. “Picked these on the way. Eat up.”

—Chichi

The pangolin nibbled delicately, its eyes squinting with joy.

While it ate, Lin Tian reached out with a grin and patted its little head. The pangolin’s head was covered in smooth scales, making it pleasant to touch.

> “Here it is! The petting monster!”

> “Brother Tian’s at it again, daily animal cuddles!”

> “Jealous! I want to be petted by Brother Tian… wait, no, I mean I want to pet a pangolin!”

> “Let go of that pangolin and come at me instead!”

> “???”

> “Drag those two weirdos upstairs out of here.”

…

The live stream audience was, as usual, full of jokers.

The appearance of the pangolin caused another surge in viewership.

While petting the pangolin’s scales, Lin Tian smiled and said, “Don’t underestimate this little pangolin. Its stomach can hold 500 grams of termites at once, and it can eat 70 million termites or ants in a year! In other words, just one pangolin can protect about 350 acres of forest from termite damage.”

…

> “Whoa, pangolins are that powerful?!”

> “350 acres? I can’t even imagine how big that is!”

> “Pangolins are awesome!”

The audience was shocked by the numbers.

Lin Tian’s expression darkened as he recalled something. “Unfortunately, humans have hunted pangolins relentlessly, mistakenly believing their scales have strong medicinal value. In just one year, around 300,000 pangolins are consumed in our country. This reckless hunting has driven them to the brink of extinction. But in reality, pangolin scales are just like human fingernails—they have no medicinal value. These gentle creatures have been overhyped by unscrupulous merchants and slaughtered in droves.”

Lin Tian stroked the pangolin, his heart heavy.

Pangolins are gentle and adorable, yet they’ve been hunted to near extinction for no reason.

> “Someone in my village secretly buys pangolins to eat. I’m reporting them!”

> “Pangolins do so much for nature, yet humans put them on the menu.”

> “No buying, no killing!”

…

The live stream audience, moved by Lin Tian’s words, grew indignant.

Seeing the awareness campaign take effect, Lin Tian smiled. It might not make a huge difference, but even a small contribution to pangolin conservation was worthwhile.

After feeding the pangolin for a bit, Lin Tian prepared to leave. They’d been here for over half an hour, and the patrol was mostly done.

“Panda Mom, Croc, let’s go.”

Lin Tian stood, calling Panda Mom and Chinese Alligator.

One human, one panda, and one alligator set off again. But just a few steps later, there was a rustle behind him. Something tugged at his pant leg. Looking down, Lin Tian was stunned to see the pangolin.

—Chichi

(Big bro, take me with you!)

The pangolin was clutching his clothes, tilting its little head up with a pleading look.

Lin Tian was dumbfounded.

What’s going on?

The pangolin wanted to follow him too?

Why?

“You want to come with me?” Lin Tian asked.

—Chichi

The pangolin nodded its little head, its eyes sparkling with admiration.

It glanced at Panda Mom and the alligator, then back at Lin Tian, full of awe. Even fierce animals like the panda and alligator obeyed Lin Tian. If it could follow him, it’d have a protector and never have to live in hiding again!

> “What’s happening? The pangolin wants to go with Brother Tian?”

> “Good grief, Brother Tian’s out patrolling and kidnapping another underage protected animal!”

> “Brother Tian, your life’s getting more and more arrestable!”

> “Why do all the animals love following Brother Tian?”

> “Man, Brother Tian’s got some kind of toxic charm!”

…

The audience was shocked to see the pangolin seemingly wanting to go home with Lin Tian.

“Uh …” Lin Tian looked at the pangolin, utterly speechless.

Why were they all latching onto him? Yesterday, it was the Chinese Alligator. Today, a pangolin. Good grief, was he running a protected animal daycare now?

And pangolins were first-class protected animals. Even if he wanted to take it back, he’d need permission from the bureau.

“Alright, hold on. I’ll ask the bureau if I can bring you back,” Lin Tian said, patting the pangolin’s head.

He pulled out his phone to send a message to the bureau for their opinion.  But before he could, a message from the bureau popped up on his phone.

Just two words: Approved.

Lin Tian: ???

Good grief.

He hadn’t even asked yet, and they’d already given the green light?!

> “Pfft, hahaha!”

> “Too funny!”

> “Brother Tian didn’t even ask, and they already shut him up!”

> “Man, that’s the boss watching their employee’s work in real-time!”

> “Talk about instant pressure!”

…