We monitor nesting sites closely, and one mother we called Guardian was doing everything right. But after she left her nest to regulate her temperature, a pack of raccoons—opportunistic predators—swarmed in to dig up and eat her eggs. We arrived just in time to see the first eggshell ripped open. We gently scared the predators away and assessed the damage. Three eggs were destroyed, but 20 remained intact. We stayed through the night, installing protective wire mesh over the nest to keep the raccoons out while allowing the mother to return. Weeks later, we witnessed the triumphant sight of Guardian leading her hatchlings to the water—a family saved by timely intervention.

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