Recent Ice Age Drama

Near Stag Clan Territory:

On a clear, frigid afternoon at the Neanderthal Creek by Crosgarc Estates in the Northern Waste Lands, Zaab Stag was fishing with his new, z-3200 fishing pole alongside his brother Agga, when a very lucky thing happened; Zaab hooked a small, Stumptooth Gambusia fish.

Stumptooth Gambusia is a vanishing species, and Zaab Stag, who is a vanishing species researcher at the University of Cro-Magnon State College, has been trying to tag and record the Neanderthal Creek, Stumptooth Gambusia fish, since they were listed as “threatened” under The End is Near Act. 

The law effectively makes it illegal to catch and eat the endangered fish.

The law is also the catalyst for the Stag Clan's attempt to halt a huge and controversial ceremonial burial site project at Crosgarc Estates proposed by the Cave Bear Clan.

The Stumptooth Gambusia fish relies on the running glacier waters feeding into Neanderthal Creek to eat, nest and live.

 

Zaab weighed and tagged the fish before gently placing it back in the creek. 

“They’re really a repulsive looking fish,” said Agga.

“True, but the species is important to the local ecology; they eat invasive Akstafa Spring Roaches and clean the water by consuming Skibo Pelican scum,” replied Zaab.

 

Not a Stumptooth Gambusia, but it is ugly.

Professors and ecological groups of the Stag Clan warn that the ceremonial burial site would be devastating for the fish. Also, other Clan’s say the burial project could have a far-reaching economic impact beyond Crosgarc Estates, frightening the vacation industry and other commerce downstream.

 

“We will do whatever it takes to ensure that the Stumptooth Gambusia fish receives the protections it is authorized under The End is Near Act,” said Gnurk Nenge, a senior attorney for the Stag Clan and Biological Multiplicity Group, a profit-making federation working to protect imperiled species.

 

“This is a troubling situation,” said Dhar the Brave, attorney for the Cave Bear Clan. “The Cave Bear Clan is wanting to build a ceremonial burial site for all to enjoy, and they understand the Stumptooth Gambusia fish would be a tragic loss. But what the heck, it's just a fish; there are plenty more in the creek.”

 

The Shamans Court of Amalgamated Cave-People Human Rights said they’ll rule on the case with “reasonable and prudent” objectivity, and could adopt a plan to minimize the impact on the fish in the project area. The possibilities may include a new habitat relocation proposal or a huge fish fry festival in the spring.

 

The Shamans Court will issue their decision after the big Wholly Mammoth hunt later in the year.

j/k