JACKSON, Wyo. — On June 7, wildlife cinematographer Jake Davis premiered footage of a wolf pack feeding on an elk carcass in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE).
Davis came across a bull elk that died after being hunted by wolves last winter, according to his press release. He then set up a network of 10 remote cameras in hopes of capturing animals coming to feed on the carcass.
“I always feel a mix of emotions when I leave the cameras,” Davis said in the YouTube video. “Part of me is excited, but I also know that no matter how carefully I set everything up, so much is still just out of my control.”
In the video below, see the events that played out over the course of six weeks.
The video captured ravens, magpies, golden eagles, red foxes, coyotes and multiple visits from wolves feeding on the bull elk remains. In the video, Davis describes birds and fox as the first visitors to feed on the elk remains. After approximately a week, a snow storm covered the cameras but two young, black wolves could still be seen visiting the elk carcass. After a couple more weeks, the cameras recorded more wolves coming to the site.
Davis said in the video that he became aware of just how many different animal species in the GYE relied on the animal carcass for survival. The cameras even documented a wolf walking off with one of the cameras.
“When I came back to check the cameras, I was shocked,” Davis said. “Wolves are incredibly intelligent and cautious. To film them this intimately is extraordinarily rare. This is some of the most special footage I’ve ever captured, and it beautifully illustrates the critical role wolves play in the ecosystem.”
According to Davis, all filming was conducted under a Special Use Permit with the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
