Any reasonable person in the tourist’s place would have turned back and run the other way. But the man froze, listened, and — following his instinct — began walking toward the sound.

After a few minutes of pushing through thick branches, he saw a gray shape among the trees. A wolf. Its paw was trapped in an old metal snare; red stains were visible around it, and in its amber eyes there was a mix of fear and exhaustion.

The man understood immediately: the creature had gotten caught by accident and couldn’t free itself. He knew that any wrong move could cost him his life. If he came too close too suddenly, the wolf might think he was being attacked. But if he walked away, the animal would die from hunger and pain.