Documentary Investigates Conduct of Wild Wolves Reapproaching Their Prey
When wildlife filmmaker Jake Davis encountered a recent wolf kill in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem—a bull elk sprawled lifeless in the snow—he instantly saw the chance to document something remarkable. He arranged approximately $100,000 worth of cameras and sensors in weatherproof casings around the kill location and then left them active for over a month. Upon returning to review the footage, he found a unique and close-up glimpse into the behavior of wild wolves.
As a child, Davis spent his summers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where the rugged Teton Range and its wildlife inspired his early passion for nature. Those formative experiences ultimately led him to work as a cinematographer for BBC, National Geographic, Disney, Netflix, and Apple. Most recently, he dedicated five months in Mongolia capturing footage of snow leopards for BBC’s Planet Earth.
Having also recently launched his YouTube Channel, Davis aspires for his content to “help people experience the serenity, awe, and delight that nature can offer.” His latest video showcases the intriguing activities surrounding the elk carcass, featuring golden eagles, red foxes, coyotes, ravens, magpies, and wolves. The footage captures various animals feeding on the elk remains. At one point, a wolf even attempts to swipe one of Davis’ cameras.
“When I returned to check the cameras, I was amazed,” Davis states. “Wolves are remarkably clever and wary. To film them this closely is exceptionally uncommon. This is among the most unique footage I’ve ever recorded.”
About six weeks after the elk’s demise, Davis revisited the site to find its skeleton. “It’s quite astonishing to see how none of this elk went to waste,” he comments in the video. “My view [on death] has shifted slightly after witnessing just how many creatures this life has helped sustain.” He continues, “Perhaps it’s a cliché, but it represents the cycle of life, and to observe it all unfold on camera like this is a striking reminder of how crucial wolves are in this ecosystem.”
Watch the full video above and follow Davis’ wildlife journeys on YouTube and Instagram.
Jake Davis: [Website](https://www.jakedavis.tv/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jakedavistv/) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@jakedavistv)
_Source: [I Left $100K in Cameras on a Wolf Kill. Here’s What They Captured](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CO6uPhyVpE)_
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