For the national park’s animals, the arrival of spring is the start of a race against time. The fleeting days of summer are the only opportunity to raise young. The Tibetan foxes are now four months old. Almost fully grown, their appetites are enormous, so Mum works full-time trying to feed them. And if they’re not begging for food, they’re trying to get a game out of her. Pika are the foxes’ food of choice. These hapless rodents are eaten by almost every predator on the plateau. Millions of them live on the grasslands here, making them one of the foundations of the ecosystem. There’s even a family living right next door to the foxes’ den. But these savvy pika rarely stray far from their burrow. So stealth and surprise is essential. Unfortunately, it’s something the cubs have yet to learn. The youngsters are ordered home. Their frustrated mother will have to hunt further afield. Every day of summer is crucial to the survival of her young.
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