The Golero That Led the Way Back

On Tuesday, April 7th, Caldique made his way to lago Los Borrachos — within the grounds of los Guardianes — carrying a mission that had already been half-fulfilled since morning. Earlier, beneath the green shade of the forest, several canarios had been released. Omar watched them settle onto the branches with that stillness only animals possess when they recognize that the space around them belongs to them. But it was at 11:34 that the day found its finest moment. The golero released at Los Borrachos didn't bolt away as they usually do. Instead, it stood before the team's vehicles and began walking down the path, as if it meant to escort the very people who had brought it there. The cars followed, slowly, without rushing it. When the golero felt it had done what it came to do, it stepped aside and vanished into the brush. No one knew exactly how many canarios took flight that day — Omar filmed the video but never counted — and perhaps that doesn't matter so much. What was recorded was the image of a large black bird opening the way along a dirt road, and a team of people who, for once, let someone else lead.