Life among wolves

The couple, Jim and Jamie Dutcher (Jim and Jamie Dutcher) spent six years living in a tent in the woods among a pack of wolves in an attempt to understand the way of life and the essence of these animals.





They lived without electricity or running water, in the most savage primitive conditions, without leaving the place, even in winter, when in the woods of Idaho crackled almost Siberian frosts. Judging from the photos made by them, and then published on their website and in the media, they have managed to establish a very close with the wolves, almost familial relationship and look there, where few of the people managed.

Many wolves flocks of Jim and Jamie knew from puppyhood, themselves helped to nurse, and their eyes are growing and becoming mighty Mother of individuals, but mindful of human kindness, good attitude and reciprocate.



Spouses have witnessed scenes shift leader, promotion pack members in the hierarchy, which in wolf society plays an important role, as well as witness how the male wolf almost human mourned her the dead friend, expressing, as it seemed to the people, grief and sadness its loss.

Jim and Jamie tried to capture everything that could show people how important it is to keep the number of wolves, and that in fact they are not as ruthless and bloodthirsty "killing machines", what often appear in folk tales.

- Wolves are really afraid of and by the people - says Jim, - and this is a very intelligent animals. They are very difficult to shoot a close-up, get close, if you are a stranger to them. We managed it only because the wolves began to trust us after a long stay with them in their natural environment. We have these wolves had such a close relationship that happens only among members of the pack. And it will last a lifetime.



- We have acted, given the conditions of the pack and do not approach them if they did not show us that it is not against our presence. Every morning we walked to him, leaving the tent and they greeted us, welcoming, like the members of his flock. They poskulivat and licked our faces, as we shake hands when meeting, and then all went about their business.

- We have never tried to dominate the pack, and these wolves in turn, never tried to force us to accept their domination. So between us all as neutral.

- Go to the wolves we have made it a strong negative attitude that there is an respect to wolves among people - continues after Jim his wife, Jamie, - Most of the people have for him a fierce hatred, we also wanted to show them that it is not so scary. All this anger comes from old fairy tales and myths, where everything is much exaggerated, but there was a time when wolves and humans lived together virtually. It was from a man came to the wolves dog, helping in hunting and protection. Jim and I have found that people can now live peacefully with the wolves if they knew them better.

Prior to his retirement in the forest couple lived quite an ordinary life. Jamie worked at the zoo in Washington, DC, and Jim was the operator and made films about wildlife. According to them, it was very difficult to stop so soon in the forest without the costs of the benefits of civilization, even without radio. In winter, covered with snow all around 5-6 feet (about 2 meters), and it became very cold.

- We often laughed about it, but when I woke up in the morning with primorozhennymi to the skin of my face hair, - says Jim.

Had warmed by a fireplace and a "multitude of methods invented", as Jim says. Gradually, they became accustomed to this way of life. It happened 15 years ago, from 1990 to 1996. Since then, Jim and Jamie have dedicated their lives to tell about their experiences and wolves to the greatest possible number of people. They have a website, they do educational work in major libraries, universities and schools around the world, including the Natural History Museum in London. They have released 3 books, and in February 2013 released a fourth titled «The Hidden Life of Wolves».