Call of the wild: Stunning images capture couple's extraordinary bond with wolves after spending SIX YEARS living among them
Most people run from wolves but one brave couple spent six years of their lives living with the feared creatures in an effort to better understand their way of life.
Jim and Jamie Dutcher lived in a tent within the world's largest wolf enclosure in a bid to observe and document the behaviour of the wild animals. The married couple lived without electricity or running water and braved temperatures of -40 Farenheit as they spent six years living in the 25 acre enclosure on the edge of Idaho's Sawtooth wilderness.
And as these intimate images show, Jim, 69 and Jamie, 50, formed an incredible bond with the animals and gained a unique insight into the lives and behaviour of wolves.
By socialising with the pack from when they were pups, Jim and Jamie were able to gain the wolves trust and observe their behaviour in a way that few people ever have.
They bottle fed the wolves as cubs, watched them mature, establish a hierarchy within the pack, produce their own offspring and even witnessed the pack mourn the death of a loved one.
Dangerously close: Jamie Dutcher and her husband lived in a tent within the world's largest wolf enclosure in a bid to observe and document the behaviour of the wild animals
The couple then captured the intimate lives of the wolf pack on film, in a bid to dispel myths about the animals and show a different side to the usually socially-guarded animals.
Comfortable: Jim and Jamie lived without electricity or running water and braved temperatures of -40 Farenheit during the six years they spent with the wolves
Familial: The Dutchers formed an incredible bond with the animals and gained a unique insight into the lives and behaviour of wolves
Jim said: 'Wolves are very afraid of people and they're also very intelligent animals so it is almost impossible to film them close up.
'If you try to film a wolf they stop doing what they are doing and move on, so it's incredibly hard to photograph them in their natural habitat or document their behaviour.
'But staying in the wolves natural habitat enabled us to watch and film them while they carried on carefree.
'We lived in a tented camp within the wolves’ territory, a constant but unobtrusive presence, documenting, recording, and photographing life inside the pack.
'We formed a deep relationship with the wolves that went far beyond simple habituation to humans. 'It was the kind of unshakable trust that wolves usually share only with their own pack, a bond that would last a lifetime.
Since birth: The couple got so close that they were able to bottle fed the wolves as cubs
Waiting it out: Jim said 'If you try to film a wolf they stop doing what they are doing and move on, so it's incredibly hard to photograph them in their natural habitat or document their behaviour'
Dangerous: Because the couple eased into the surroundings and became accepted members of the area, the wolves did not normally show their threatening side to the Dutchers
All seasons: The couple lived in the tent without electricity all seasons, just like the wolves
Welcome: Jim said 'When we would get up in the morning, and left our tent, they would greet us as they would greet each other'
'Everything was on the wolves' terms. We never approached them, they came to us if they wanted to.
'When we would get up in the morning, and left our tent, they would greet us as they would greet each other. They would each come over and whine and lick our faces, then, as soon as it started, it ended and they went about their business.
'We never tried to dominate the wolves in anyway, in turn, the wolves never tried to dominate us nor submit to us. We kept things very neutral, we didn't want our presence to affect how they behaved toward each other. We were a bit like wall paper.
Jamie added: 'There's so much hate and animosity for wolves and we wanted to try to change that.
'The fear of wolves comes from old myths and fairytales where they are portrayed as an animal to fear. But in the past there was a time when humans and wolves lived together and helped one another.
'Wolves are the mother of all dogs, they're similar in so many respects but while we see dogs as our companions and invite them into our homes and treat them as part of the family, we fear and hunt wolves.
'Jim and I believe animals and humans can co-exist and we wanted to learn about the behaviour of wolves so we could give others a better understanding about them.
But Jamie said their experience wasn't without its difficulties and adjusting to life in the wilderness was no easy feat.
They went from living a relatively 'normal' life, Jamie worked as a keeper at the national zoo in Washington DC and Jim was a wildlife filmmaker.
And while they were used to spending time amongst animals and wildlife, adjusting to life in the wilderness with a pack of wolves was difficult.
Jamie said: 'We lived in that tent for six years with no running water or electricity.
'It was very quiet, no phones no computers nothing, we didn't even have a radio. 'We made a trip into town once every 7-10 days to collect provisions, but apart from that we spent everyday living in a tent.
'There would be five to six feet of snow in winter, it was very cold with temperatures reaching -40 degrees Farenheit. 'It was a matter of learning how to keep warm, we laugh about it now but I'd wake up some mornings and my hair was frozen to the side of my face.
Passage of time: The couple spent six years on the reserve and watched the wolves grow
'But we devised clever ways to survive and make things more comfortable.' Jim and Jamie, who lived with the wolves during 1990 and 1996, have used their experiences to educate the public about wolves and help dispel the myths about the animals.
They launched their own non-profit organization called 'Living with Wolves' and currently hold talks in universities, schools, museums and libraries worldwide, including one at the Natural History Museum in London earlier this year.
Jim and Jamie have produced three films and published three books about their experiences with a fourth book, The Hidden Life of Wolves, due to be released in February next year.
Real world: Since returning from the tent, they launched their own non-profit organization called 'Living with Wolves'
'The wolves of the Sawtooth pack gave us so much personally, we felt that we had to give back to them and this is why we started Living With Wolves.
'Wolves need to be better understood and appreciated for what they contribute. 'We hope being able to present our own experiences with wolves has and continues to help people gain a better understanding and appreciation for wolves.' (SOURCE)
absolutley amazing you two are a inspiration to the cause of protecting these amazing animals thank you
wow...this made my heart feel so good, thank you thank you for all that you have done, all the hard work, all the days spent to prove to the world what my spirit already knew to be true...Pilamaye
wonderful pictures! I am inspired and jealous! I would love to be that close to wolves! what awesome and beautiful creatures!
What will happen to the wolves now that the killing ban has been lifted? These beautiful wonderful creatures have a right to live....
how beautiful! I am deeply moved by these images of love and trust in entirely natural ways...
How truly wonderful! They did something I can only dream of doing! Remarkable and so important what they have done! Thank you!!
Wow, Thanx for sharing a wonderful experience with all of us.. I hope they stop killing all animals especially the ones that Man Fears.. Thanx again
I LOVE wolves! Always have... they are such dignified animals... and I am so jealous of your experience but I will recognise that for me, doing what you did is totally out of my range.. not only because I live in another country but we have no wolves! Congratulations and I do hope your experience get made into some good film for all of us to see worldwide - also hope it gets US and Canadian citizens into protecting these beautiful creatures.
So moving to see your pictures and the relationship you and the wolves developed. I wish, perhaps, to have an experience like yours. I still have sometime for that. Namastê.
Wow, beautiful and amazing pictures. Thank you for sharing them with us.
The most captivating images ever! Beautiful animals, and beautiful people :) I am so envious to see people up close and personal to my favourite animals. All animals have the right to live in peace.
The pup you were feeding - did the mother die? Did the pack not take care of it?
Have you read "In the Shadow of a Rainbow" by Robert Franklin Leslie. He also spent some time living among a particular wolf pack... I honor the two of you for your sensitive, soul-sharing.
Just fascinating to see something I thought couldn't be!
I send many blessings to these two legged s for helping the world to see the truth about these wonderful animals. The only creature man should fear is man himself....Thank you for honoring the wolves and all other fellow creatures.
Thank you for all you do in raising awareness of these beautiful animals. I absolutely love wolves and envy your experiences with them. Keep up the great work!!
You guys have gotten to see how truly amazing wolves are and I too envy you. You have proven so much please continue to speak for the wolves they need all the help they can get in the immoral world we live in today. I do agree only creature man should fear is man himself. Those poor baby fear us more then we fear them and rightfully so and it is a shame.
I have thought about this most of my life, how amazing it would be to live amongst the wolves. If I ever had the oppertunity to stay on a wolf sanctuary I would for sure grabb the moment! But the experience I long for most of all is to hear a pack of wolves in the wild..and if I were so blessed to of caught a glimpse how extraordinary that would be! Thank you Jim and Jamie..
If it were not for the many photographs, it would be hard to believe how accepting wolves really are with humans. This is absolutely fascinating! Wake up Wyoming!
omg I love wolves and I didnt even know wolves would do that, I would love to be in a wolf pak for a few years and learn their ways!
thank you so much for sharing, what wonderful beings, allof you, all of us, blessings on your journey, Linda
God is smiling. Thank u for these amazing pics!
where would one get permission to use images?
i'd love to use the hand/paw as my avatar.... it could start some conversations.
thanks for the story and wonderful pictures!
One of them does like mine,always kissis on the nose! Loely Pictures,Thanks!
Truly remarkable! However, truly a one-of-kind experience … even if YOU did exhaustively explain to others EVERYTHING you did to arrive at this "miraculous" bonding/mutual acceptance non-aggression result, clearly there's something indescribably ethereal (perhaps unknowable with present scientific diagnostic devices) which you two possess that allowed this ancient clan to over-ride instinct (or interpret you within the instinctive clan structure) that the rest of us either cannot replicate (in the larger probability) or can only do so (in the vastly smaller probability) IF such few possess also your unique quality (once identified with positiveness), and ALSO w/study & excellently apply w/exactitude your methods. You must share thoughtfully & scientifically in a well-reasoned & complete as possible book/journal w/ minds emphasizing at least (1) instruction, and (2) serious caveats regarding emulation unless or until the mechanism of your pack "adoption" is understood for sure. Wolves are NOT "stuffed toys" for bored socialites w/a yen for exotic furry pets! None of this is to say, however, that what you've accomplished isn't the truly magnificent achievement that it truly IS! Bravo, bravissime! … Hon. Robert F. Frazier, Esq. (Former Member of the House from PA, 41st. Dist., @ that time serving @ Fish, Game, & Protected Species Committee [among others].)
Truly remarkable! However, truly a one-of-kind experience … even if YOU did exhaustively explain to others EVERYTHING you did to arrive at this "miraculous" bonding/mutual acceptance non-aggression result, clearly there's something indescribably ethereal (perhaps unknowable with present scientific diagnostic devices) which you two possess that allowed this ancient clan to over-ride instinct (or interpret you within the instinctive clan structure) that the rest of us either cannot replicate (in the larger probability) or can only do so (in the vastly smaller probability) IF such few possess also your unique quality (once identified with positiveness), and ALSO w/study & excellently apply w/exactitude your methods. You must share thoughtfully & scientifically in a well-reasoned & complete as possible book/journal w/ minds emphasizing at least (1) instruction, and (2) serious caveats regarding emulation unless or until the mechanism of your pack "adoption" is understood for sure. Wolves are NOT "stuffed toys" for bored socialites w/a yen for exotic furry pets! None of this is to say, however, that what you've accomplished isn't the truly magnificent achievement that it truly IS! Bravo, bravissime! … Hon. Robert F. Frazier, Esq. (Former Member of the House from PA, 41st. Dist., @ that time serving @ Fish, Game, & Protected Species Committee [among others].)
ty for doing such a good job,and to help them as you are doing stil,i love wolfsthey are here in my room and in my heart foever,ty so much for sharing these pictures with me,i,m so grateful, sjaan
Beautiful :)
Fantastic!!
But sadly not many are listening in the US, they are killing off and/or trapping wolves and coyotes (different species I know) but still....The human killers are winning and it is a HORROR
Awesome, beautiful pictures. You two have a gift, thank you for sharing...must've been quite the experience.
Totally fantastic, thank you so much for the insight in hopes it changes the way these wonderfully beautiful animals are perceived.
Wondrous! Thank you! They are in such a precarious position right now - hope your experience has some impact. And thank you White Wolf for putting it out to the public.
Amazing story and beautiful photos. Thanks for taking the time and hardships to understand and promote the wolves. I hope it helps dispel the malicious myths, as you intend. Good luck...
Fantastic story....Wishing I could do the same...
Amazing!!! Thank you for doing this and showing that wolves are not a horrible creature. I hope that we can all coexist with the wonderful animals that this world has to offer.
Thank you!!! For taking the time to understand and share. You two truly have a gift.
Blessings to both of You!
simply fantastic.
when you had the adopt a wolf program I did that for years I love the wolves I think they are the most beautiful and loving animal we have. I would trust them with my life.
http://sawtoothpack.com/
Their film is outstanding and their dedication is something everyone should strive for.
Thank You. In Native belief they are guideposts, teachers, loyalty, communication and compassion. We must keep them in our world. They are important.
The wolf is one of my favorite creatures ,they are so very beautiful and the bond they have with in there pack is breath taking the way they take care of each other,if only humans were like that then this world would be so much better off.They just need to be left alone to live there life after all its there land not the assholes that are killing them!!!! Save the Wolfs!!!!!!
This is the most awesome show of talent among you and the Creature's of God ,Not only are the Wolf's totally amazed by you its the trust you showed them that made them come and trust you ! AWEOSME <3
Simply breathtaking and such an experience thanks for the amazing pics :)
This is beautiful.Thank you so much for sharing.
Myriam say
Thank you for the beautiful pictures. You are fantastic!
I love all the pictures of the Wolves, they're really beautiful animals <3<3 Thank you so much for sharing!!
Thank you so much for sharing. What a great experience. something one will never forget!
Great work ! I hope this act has made the woods safe for "LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD" once again !
Reminds me of my little one Elektra. I've raised her as an educational ambassador for almost 2 years now. Everyone can see her pictures on Instagram @ElektratheWolf
This is so beautiful thank you for sharing spc1947@aol.com
You have lived my dream... I have a spiritual bond with all animals....and consider wolves to be my spiritual guides. A number of years ago, I had the privilege of sharing my life with my wolf dog, Sasha....my friend, child, confidante, teacher, caretaker, and protector...as I was, in kind, to her. Her spirit remains with me, every day of my life....she walks with me in heart and love. Perhaps, in another lifetime, I will be fortunate to spend my life living with wolves...who, in essence, are my heart and soul.
Absolute gorgeous and precious photos!!! They are so blessed to experience being w/ the wolves. I too am into photography very much!!! I love the photography and connection you have w/ the wolves only to dream I was there w/ you. Reminds me so much of my 100% husky who looked and acted like a wolf. Again Thank you for what your doing and sharing!!!! God Bless!!
is it possible to bond with wild animals as this without them imprinting on you?
wolves now are hopefully vindicated. these people are amazing!
Iloved this show especially the recordings Jamie did of the wolf calls. Beautiful!!!!
very lucky folks
I so miss the Sawtooth Pack. Kamots, Lakota, and Matsi were my favorites. I have written so much about them. How I wish I could have met them. All I have left are their pictures on my walls. And pictures in my mind. God Bless Jim and Jamie for bringing us the Sawtooth Pack.
It was the Sawtooth Pack which motivated me to become active in wolf advocacy. The Dutchers indeed DID do the world a favor by showing what wolves are really all about. They are loving, devoted, intelligent, emotional animals who deserve to be protected and allowed to live as God created them to live. I own the DVD Living With Wolves, as well as the book, and I have watched it over and over. I am fascinated by the amazing photos in the book as well. I recommend, highly, that anyone who is moved by these photos purchase the DVD and the book about this project. It is heart warming, to say the least. I have fallen in love with all of the wolves from the Sawtooth Pack. It is sad that they are now all gone as the last of the puppies, Piyup, died a couple of years ago. Still, these wolves will continue to inspire me to speak for wolves and to contribute to worthwhile organizations which fight for their survival. Thank you to Jim and Jamie Dutcher and their staff for making these films, taking these photos and, above all, for loving these incredible wolves of the Sawtooth Pack!
amazing and awesome images. Heart and soul touching. i do not why lion is king of jungle. why not wolves, which are much social and planned killers