Accidents Strike in an Instant
Surrounded by a swarm of paparazzi birds that were blocking her flight, Shushu approached me with a scowl etched deep into her features.
Though her body was a touch smaller than Shuga's, the bluish-gray feathers rustling around her gave off the unmistakable scent of rugged wilderness.
—Hoo. You called for me. What is it?
"Thanks for coming. I..."
—I know. The vet who understands animals. So what do you want?
Shushu dipped her head slightly, her sharp gaze demanding I cut to the chase. Fine by me.
"What do you think of Shuga?"
—What? Why this sudden plot twist?
She'd been staring me down like a statue, but now she faltered, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. Seizing the moment, I pressed on.
"You know what they're trying to do at the safari, right? Pair you two up. But I've heard you've been dodging it?"
—Dodging? I just have no interest.
"What about him don't you like? You know there are only you and Shuga at Saemangeum Safari."
—So what? Just because we're the only two doesn't mean I have to pair up with that guy.
"Hmm... Fair enough."
True to her wild roots, unlike Shuga, Shushu was blunt and fiery—no beating around the bush.
"I talked to Shuga first. Yeah, his approach was off, but bringing you food was his way of showing affection..."
—Enough. I get what you're trying to say, but Shuga's just not attractive.
She shook out her wings, cutting me off.
—You know I'm a wild bird who soared across continents. Expecting me to feel sparks for a greenhouse flower like him? Impossible.
"......"
—Plus, he's an idiot who always gets picked on by those hornbills. But what really grinds my gears is his timidity!
"Timidity?"
Shushu flapped her gray wings in frustration as she continued.
—Sure, he's hand-reared, so he's a bit naive—fine. But the dry season came and went, and all he did was hover nearby, mumbling without making a move. What am I supposed to do with that?
'Hmm... Shushu definitely has some feelings for him, it seems.'
Shoebills typically mate and nest during the dry season.
That's when floods won't destroy their nests.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Shushu and Shuga were born and raised, the dry season runs from April to October. From November to March—like now—it's the rainy season.
'Shushu's getting worked up because shoebills usually mate only during the dry season.'
In other words, from April this year until last month, Shuga had dithered without making a proper attempt.
"I get what you're saying. But we don't have to limit mating to the dry season. Saemangeum Safari mimics Africa's environment, but this is Korea."
—What're you getting at? You think I don't know that?
Despite her haughty expression, Shushu tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She was interested.
"You've lived wild, so you think breeding has to be dry season only—floods ruin nests in the rain. Right?"
—Hmph. How many times do I have to say it? I'm wild-born.
I know, I know. But this is their first year in Korea, so they don't have all the info.
"Did you know Korea doesn't have a real rainy season?"
—Of course... Wait. No rainy season?
Shushu tilted her dinosaur-like beak, unable to hide her confusion.
"Yeah. Saemangeum keeps temperatures and humidity close to what you're used to. Korea has winter instead of monsoons, but your indoor aviary stays consistently dry-season warm. Meaning..."
—We can breed... anytime...?
I nodded, arms crossed, and Shushu pondered for a moment, her face conflicted.
—Sigh. Whatever. Even if so, what can that timid fool do?
But her words came out as a sigh-tinged lament.
—Shuga doesn't even know how to court properly. Worse, he's not my type.
"What's your type, then?"
I asked flatly, and Shushu stood statue-still for a long beat before cautiously parting her beak.
—Someone... better at hunting and flying than me. Wild spirit. But he's worse at flying, worse at hunting. His sturdy build was the only redeeming thing, but now he's skin and bones. What should I even hope for?
"......"
Shoebills being picky about looks? First I'd heard of it.
'A matter of style... Can I even help with that?'
These were words no academic would believe, yet here I was hearing them firsthand.
—If he really wants to be my mate... tell him to become what I want.
"Shushu, wait!"
With that, she flapped her massive gray wings and took off.
—Uh... s-so... Sh-Shuga wants a mate who flies better than her... and hunts well too...?
After my chat with Shushu,
I returned to Shuga, who predictably wilted at the news.
"Yeah. But there's good news too. She likes your plump look, so no need to lose weight. Focus on eating well and practicing flight to build wing muscles—that'll help more."
—E-eating... I can eat, but... can I really...? No, I can't. I-I'm not confident I can outfly or outhunt Shushu...
Watching Shuga stammer so frustratingly, I knew this wouldn't resolve overnight.
'He'll eat properly now, so weight's not an issue... Don't push too hard. Flight and hunting skills take time. Better wrap it here.'
Getting paid the promised fee and bonus from Jeong Yong-gun should be smooth now.
Just show Choi Eun-seo and the keepers Shuga chowing down eagerly.
"Think positive. Flight and hunting can't change quick, but we can fix your courtship method."
—R-really?
"Yep. Shoebills court by clacking their beaks. Like in this video..."
Birds have diverse courtship rituals by species.
Hornbills start with head-shaking dances, puffing up neck feathers to show off.
Hummingbirds have males gift fish to females.
For shoebills?
Tut-tut-tut-tut! Tut-tut-tut-tut-tut!
They clash beaks like machine guns, substituting for song.
—G-goodness... D-does it have to be that aggressive?
"Not aggressive—it's their natural way. You already 'greet' keepers and folks you like. Add beak-clacking to that greeting. That's true shoebill courtship. Practice now."
—O-okay. Got it. I'll... try hard.
Shoebills are famous as 'greeting birds.' People mistake it for friendliness, but it's primarily courtship.
Like a human bow from the waist, males shake their heads, bow to the female, and clack beaks machine-gun style.
If Shushu responds, she'll do the same, so preemptive practice was key.
Tut-tut-tut-tut! Tut-tut-tut-tut!
"Yes, like that. Shake your head side to side! More energetically!"
As I coached Shuga's courtship song and prepared to wrap up the day—
—B-bro? Can I talk to you a sec?
"What? Speak."
The male hornbill leader approached with uncharacteristically polite tones.
—Yes, then... briefly.
Whoosh!
"...What? Why're you on my shoulder?"
He hopped right up.
I shrugged like dusting off dirt, but the hornbill clung fast, whispering in my ear.
—S-sorry, bro. Message from Teacher Chun-sam. He said tell you only...
"Chun-sam? Ha. What now?"
—Ahem. Teacher Chun-sam says, judging by today's aviary drama, it's tough to fix Shuga and Shushu's romance short-term.
"Think I don't know that, dummy? That's why I'm drilling courtship basics. You hornbills lied about bringing food—tch."
The hornbill cleared his throat awkwardly before continuing.
—B-but Teacher Chun-sam has a solution.
"Jeez. Where's this nonsense from? If it worked, he'd have helped ages ago."
—Heh. You didn't know, bro. Teacher Chun-sam doesn't give free advice without reward. If you want info, add durian to orangutan feedings twice weekly for a month. Then he'll share...
"No durian in the aviary?"
—Yeah. You know durian's stench—too strong for the orangutan enclosure.
Seemed trivial, but if it worked, I'd buy durians out of pocket.
"Fine... Spill. If it works, I'll plant a whole tree."
—Deal. Here's the message.
He glanced around, then spoke gravely.
—Teacher Chun-sam's surefire plan: the suspension bridge effect.
"...What?"
—Heh heh. Verified multiple times on the orangutan enclosure's swaying bridge. Tell safari staff to make lion or croc dummies, scare Shushu, then...
Impressive that orangutans discovered it firsthand, but it's a classic human psych tactic too.
Shared peril—like a shaky bridge—boosts attraction to the nearby opposite sex.
"Pass."
—Huh? P-pass? Bro! Didn't peg you for this—taking info like plucking fruit, then backing out on durian...?
"Not that. It won't work. Shushu's fearless—scares won't faze her. If anything, she'd eat Shuga first."
—St-still, no harm in trying...?
As the hornbill nagged endlessly in my ear—
"Haha, Director's out here druiding too? The animals love perching on your shoulder."
"Finished interior shots?"
Nam Gyu-won PD returned with the Animal Kingdom crew. Sweat-drenched but grinning—must've gotten great footage.
"Haha, yeah. Got all the key stuff. Just need you checking the shoebills to wrap. Ooh! Perfect—Shushu and Shuga are right there."
"......?"
Too focused on the hornbill to notice, but maybe they heard Shuga's practice clacks?
Shushu sidled up to the tense Shuga.
—What? Spit it out.
—Uh... n-no?
—What's your game? You called me?
—No no, not that...
Shuga, you dimwit, fumbling your own goal.
—Unbelievable. Summon me just for this?
—N-not... that...
The shoulder hornbill tsked, 'Whew. Fumbled hard.' This chance was toast.
Embarrassment burned my cheeks, but only I and the animals heard their talk.
To Choi Eun-seo, the vets, and the crew, the two in frame looked thrilling.
"Whoa! That looks like interest? Rookie, get in close—high-res!"
"Heh heh, on it... Whoa?!"
"Hey, kid!"
Rookie's haste tripped him mid-stride, sending his camera flying through the air.
Right toward Shushu's torso.
Shushu stood 150cm tall, but weighed under 5kg.
"No!"
The broadcast camera hurtling at her? Over 10kg—double her weight.
Accidents strike in an instant.