Rain was falling steadily over a narrow alley when a rescuer noticed something small and frightened tucked inside the exposed rear compartment of an abandoned, damaged vehicle. Inside, among wet metal panels and loose cables, was a young Asian palm civet.

Its brown and gray patterned fur was damp, its ears were pressed low, and its large, alert eyes followed every movement. It was not aggressive. It was terrified.

Instead of reaching in quickly, the rescuer knelt beside the vehicle and waited. Wearing a dark waterproof jacket and gray protective gloves, the rescuer slowly brought a black soft sided carrier closer, its inside lined with a dry gray towel. The right hand moved carefully toward the opening while the left hand kept the carrier steady and calm.

For a few tense moments, the civet sniffed the air and shifted slightly forward. Then, keeping its body low, it placed its front paws into the carrier and crawled inside on its own. No one pulled its tail. No one grabbed its legs. It chose the safety in front of it.

Once the civet was fully inside, the rescuer closed and secured the ventilated carrier, keeping it upright and stable. The camera then turned toward a sheltered entrance away from the rain, where the small animal could finally rest out of the storm.

It was a quiet rescue, without drama or noise, just patience in the rain. And for one tiny civet hiding in a broken car, that patience made all the difference.