Under a Vanishing Sky

The tiger quoll bounded across the dense, moss-covered forest floor. The weight of the possum in her jaws dragged down her bounds. Her jaw ached, yet she still pushed through the ferns until she reached where her den should have been. But it was not there. As the haze of dust cleared, she saw roaring monsters clearing the trees, knocking branches to the ground and leaving a trail of oil behind them. Where were her pups? She dropped the possum and let out a sharp, rhythmic clucking sound, straining her ears for a reply. None came. Deforestation is not just about trees, but the creatures that call those forests home. I chose the tiger quoll because many people don’t even know that this beautiful animal exists. I want to bring it out of the shadows and make people pay attention to the lives that deforestation is destroying. I hope my drawing reminds people that we all have a home, a safe sanctuary, and every creature deserves to have theirs protected.