The biologists involved in the study expressed confidence and assurance in their accounts, aiming to dispel any suspicions. Sergeant Rocker was also released into the water, with biologists using tracking equipment to monitor the alligators’ adaptation to their new environment.
The alligator known as the Tyrant remained isolated while others stayed nearby for a period. By the fourth day, Team Leader 1 assigned the most junior member of their team to observe behaviors such as staying in the same area for an extended period.
On the sixth day, the team discovered Firestorm’s front leg, entangled in bobber wire, on a mudbank marked by boot prints likely left by poachers. A biologist noted the poignant and ironic nature of this sight, expressing an emotional response to the discovery, although uncertain if the reaction was appropriate.
Old Jim, meanwhile, questioned the appropriateness of such responses, despite experiencing his own emotional moments while working in Central’s archives.
Battlebee was later found deceased, with his body showing signs of postmortem predation, potentially by Sergeant Rocker. It was speculated that stress and anesthesia may have contributed to Battlebee’s death. The postmortem examination revealed unexpected contents in his stomach, including fish, a turtle, mud, and an inexplicable broken teacup.
Further revelations occurred when Battlebee was found to have been pregnant, contradicting initial identification as male, which led to some confusion among the team. Team Leader 2 expressed surprise regarding this discovery and reflected on the challenging conditions of the environment.
Sergeant Rocker managed to remove his harness and disengage from the project near Team Leader 1’s tent, which was interpreted by the team leader as indicative of his personality, resulting in an unexpected sense of loss.
Old Jim felt burdened by the team’s sentimentality towards the alligator, noting their reports marked the experiment as a success despite ambiguous results. The perceived myths of competence, persistence, and objectivity were questioned.
In retrospect, Old Jim and the biologists pondered how Sergeant Rocker had escaped without damaging the harness, considering the possibility of oversight. Old Jim frequently reviewed faulty video footage showing the biologists’ actions, which eventually blurred into chaotic imagery.
He contemplated whether all efforts had indeed been exhausted or if the results aligned with the intended outcomes.
