Code: Yellow
 
In the event of a lesser species rising up to overthrow us, the first thing to do is stay calm. Most other species can sense fear.
 
Detecting the threat:

• This one should be pretty easy. Become concerned if you see any of the following:

• Animals exhibiting the ability to use technology (driving cars, using guns, etc).
• Animals exhibiting military tactics.
• Animals suddenly gaining the ability to speak.

 
Analyze the threat:

• How terrifying is the animal that seems to be evolving?
  • Worms and insects, while not immediately threatening, could likely bond together to form larger, super-organisms. Ants are the most likely culprit for this.
  • Whales and fish, while stuck quite large and terrifying, are trapped underwater. This boundary line prevents direct conflict, and may even lead to profitable trade in the future.
    • Octopus should be carefully watched in this scenario. They’re already basically sentient, and could likely come up with some way to engineer above-water suits to help conquer us.
  • Dogs (and canines in general) are a major threat. With their prevalence in human society, they’ll have us playing fetch for them in no time.
  • Cats… Cats are probably already at this stage anyway, but are simply too lazy to do anything about it. Disregard threat if cats are the affected creatures.
  • Apes, while the closest in appearance to humans, are likely not much of a threat. Their fingers are too large to fit through most trigger guards, and can you imagine a gorilla trying to fit into a sports car?
• Determine the cause of the intelligence.
  • Is it alien meddling?
  • Was it an artificially induced factor (scientists seem to have this unusual compulsion to make animals as intelligent as humans. This seems quite stupid, but it’s a reality).
  • Are the creatures simply evolving more rapidly than we expected?

 
Combat the threat:

• If they seem to be aliens, see Aliens.
• If it seems to be an artificially induced factor, determine what that factor is and come up with a counter in order to return the animals back to their original state.
• If it seems to be a naturally accelerated evolution, determine what caused this evolution. Attempt to discern if this same evolution could be applied to humans, keeping us one step ahead of the animals.
• If all else fails, contact Washington and instigate a war against all animals.
  • Alternatively, simply begin polluting the planet. Animals have far less tolerance for pollution than we do, and though this may cause a few civilian casualties, it will ultimately keep our species alive.

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