Hunter Neiblum's Route
It was mid-December when I left Colorado destined for New Mexico, a place I would not stay for long. After a full day of travel I boarded my final Lift to the outskirts of Albuquerque. Shoving my bags into the trunk with speed, I was greeted by Gabriela. We discussed the local sightings of wolves and her own experiences with them. The local insight thrilled me - bystander opinion could shape the Mexican Wolf’s future. The next morning I was picked up and brought to the Double Eagle Airport on the eastern outskirts of town. The task to document and capture the success of the Mexican wolf breeding program is second to none.
At the airfield, I met Rebecca Bose with the New York Wolf Conservation Center, our two pilots, and of course our cargo- two Mexican wolves. One to be dropped off in Missouri and the other to be sent to the conservation center in NY. The thrill of taking off under the purple dawn sky with two wolves in the back was second to none. The wolves, completely wild and untamed, did their best to remain silent and still since their capture. The female who was to be sent to New York remained this way for a full 26 hours until her release. This wasn't the only difficulty when trying to document wolves on a plane. During the flight, we hit a spot of turbulence that sent the plane sideways and the wolves in their crates from one side of the cabin to the other. I had to do my best to capture the event without my camera ending up on one side of the plane and me on the other. When we arrived in New York, the night was cool and drizzling.
The most crucial moment of my journey was ahead...the release of the female wolf into her new temporary home. Not only does rain make filming conditions difficult, but the night also added its own set of difficulties. Relationships with the people you are documenting are key to finding your shot. We worked together to fashion a headlamp as a pseudo spotlight and made sure we were all in position to roll before the crate door opened. With some patience and planning, the result was one of the most memorable shots in my career as a videographer. The sight of her running free from her cage struck me.
Filming at the Wolf Conservation Center, the next day, followed suit. This was not a zoo, but a wildlife sanctuary. They had ambassador grey wolves, who were used to humans and performed regularly. But I was after their Mexican wolves. This required patience and a steady hand with a 600mm lens. For hours, I rotated between my limited viewing areas with a clear shot and waited. The male Mexican wolf was acutely aware of the new female's presence and I found him darting back and forth along the fence. I sat there, from morning to afternoon waiting for her to appear. I thought the moment was lost, then not long after, she emerged. At the 12th hour, I managed to capture the pair running alongside the fence pacing one another for the first time. It’s an experience the three of us shared together - whether they knew it or not.
Wildlife does not abide by the rules of filmmaking or photography. You are merely an observer. Patience and understanding of your environment become your most valuable assets. The shot may not present itself, but if you take the time to be still, listen and let go of expectations, then maybe, just maybe you might find what you came for.
That’s a lesson I think we can all benefit from.