Fantasizing about having superpowers is a waste of time. Fantasizing about how to get them is not. Topping my childhood list of kickass females were Wonder Woman and Sheena, Queen of the Jungle. I wasn’t born a wondrous, clairvoyant warrior princess, but what they had that I wanted most was to be fierce. I became obsessed with nature’s most magnificently fierce creatures: big cats. I envisioned myself as the next Jane Goodall or Dian Fossey, traveling the globe to see formidable felines in their natural habitats, a daunting aspiration that hit a detour after nearly flunking zoology. Twice. Embracing the zigzag led me to a coveted employer with the best perks: a major airline. Now Wonder Woman isn’t the only one who can fly. Among exotic destinations that embrace big cat conservation is Belize, home to the world’s first and only jaguar preserve. I traveled 100 km south of Belize City to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Besides jaguar, this lush, jungle nirvana is home to the puma, jaguarundi, margay, and ocelot. Oh my. The possibility of glimpsing one of these elusive creatures roaming freely sends a high octane jolt through my veins. The Maya Village Women’s Center near the sanctuary’s entrance had a list of hiking guides. Randomly, I chose Alejandro, a name which ironically means “protector.” He quoted $35 USD, depending on trail choice. Reasonable, yes, but an idea germinated in my brain. Did I have courage enough to go solo? Armed with facts: trails are clearly marked and odds for finding a wrecked airplane are greater than a jaguar sighting, failed to flip my bravery switch. Actually, there is a Plane Wreck Trail where zoologist Dr. Alan Rabinowitz’s single-engine plane crashed in 1984. Note to self: I rest my case. Clouds the shade of espresso postponed the verdict long enough for my inner-Sheena to take charge. This wasn’t the wilds of Rwanda or Tanzania, after all, but a worthy first solo adventure for a wannabe fierce female. I fired off a text to my friend, Sherry, craving a ‘You go, girl!’ “You dumbutt!” she shot back. “Why on earth would you do that?” “I’m a warrior princess. Thought you knew that,” I typed. “I am woman hear me roar.” “You are dumbutt, hear ME roar!” she replied. A Ford Ranger 4WD lugged me up the access road to the trailheads. Jostling dips, bumps, and pot holes taunted my fragile nerves. Flanking the road were mud-slick ruts, smooth as chocolate icing, but deep enough to suck the boot right off your foot. Mother Nature is one crafty lady. Mixing rainfall, soil, and clay into animal track casting material was brilliant. Slim prospects of detecting tracks onboard a thudding uphill ride didn’t stop me from trying. About halfway up I spotted an unusual diagonal pattern. “Stop!” I shouted. Perfectly rounded sizable tracks were embedded in thick mud. I tiptoed in boots like a clumsy ballerina, capturing photographic evidence. Six words from the park ranger induced euphoria. “Those are definitely fresh jaguar tracks.” A powerful cat crossed my path only hours or minutes ago. Was this an omen? A warning or a challenge? I nicknamed her, “Shiana,” combining names Sheena + Diana (Wonder Woman’s first name.) I hit the trail armed with a camera, compass, 16 ounces of water, and one ounce of courage. I regretted bringing nothing for self-defense, not even a Swiss Army Knife, so I grabbed the biggest, sturdiest stick I could find. If Shiana was lying in wait, praying she’d be curious, not ravenous. Jaguar attacks on humans are rare, a phrase I mentally repeated like a mantra. The trail curled through a stunning tapestry of shapes and textures. Every time I paused to look and listen, I was rewarded. A crunching noise led to an agouti sitting upright like a squirrel. A rhythmic drumming revealed a Lineated Woodpecker. Resting by South Stann Creek River, I gazed up at towering trees interlaced with vines. No golden orbs staring back at me. Slightly disappointing. Mostly a relief. Shiana’s tracks were an omen. Not to beware, but to “Be Aware.” One hike didn’t make me fearless, but took me one step closer to fierce.