‘To film them this intimately is extraordinarily rare’

A YouTuber received m***ive praise online after sharing extremely rare footage of a pack of wolves that he captured using trail cameras.

“Not exaggerating, this may be the single best wildlife video I’ve ever seen,” raved one commenter. “To be able to do***ent this behavior of an animal as elusive as the wolf is just astounding.”

Professional wildlife cinematographer Jake Davis (@jakedavistv) captured the footage by leaving what he said was $100,000 worth of camera equipment in the vicinity of a bull elk carc*** for a month.

“When I came back to check the cameras, I was shocked,” said Davis, per PetaPixel. “Wolves are incredibly intelligent and cautious. To film them this intimately is extraordinarily rare.”

The video highlighted the important role that trail cameras play in educating the public about the incredible interconnectedness of our natural world while allowing researchers to gather key data about wildlife populations.

“This is some of the most special footage I’ve ever captured, and it beautifully illustrates the critical role wolves play in the ecosystem,” said Davis, per PetaPixel.

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Researchers around the world use trail cameras as a nonintrusive way to study endangered species and track rehabilitation efforts. For example, the Galápagos Conservancy uses a network of trail cameras to unobtrusively observe the rare wildlife of that delicate environment.

“The images collected help us understand species distribution and behavior, allowing us to develop informed measures for protecting and conserving these unique ecosystems,” the Galápagos Conservancy explained on its website. “The cameras provide valuable insights into both endemic species and invasive threats, greatly enhancing our understanding of Galápagos wildlife.”

Davis’ stunning video captured much more than just wolves. After the bull elk was brought down by the wolf pack, the carc*** was visited by a range of animals that included a fox and a golden eagle.

“In a time when people are far removed from the rhythm and balance of the natural world, my hope is that my work serves to rekindle a connection to the wild,” said Davis, per PetaPixel.

Judging by the comments, Davis succeeded in his mission.

“I’ve never seen any wolf video like that ever!” exclaimed one commenter. “That was amazing.”

“Not only that but it also shows the value of the wolf in the ecosystem,” added another.

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