A camera left in a grizzly bear den in Yellowstone National Park has captured a stunning decade of wildlife footage. Installed by filmmaker Casey Anderson, the footage, now shared on social media and his new YouTube channel, showcases the resilience of wildlife and the fascinating behaviors that unfold when no one is watching. The camera, which was left in place for 10 years, captured a range of species using the den, including some surprising return visits by a particularly persistent predator.
A Spontaneous Experiment Turns Into a Decade-Long Observation
In 2013, wildlife filmmaker Casey Anderson placed a camera inside an abandoned grizzly bear den in Yellowstone National Park. Anderson, known for his work tracking wildlife across the American West, had hoped to document the return of grizzly bears to the den. However, he didn’t expect the camera to stay intact long enough to capture a full decade’s worth of footage. According to him:
“Not only had bears returned, but so had mountain lions, coyotes, and a surprising variety of smaller animals,” Anderson explained in an interview with Newsweek. “One mountain lion in particular kept returning again and again, almost obsessively.”
The decision to leave the camera was made during an impromptu backcountry expedition, and it was meant to be a short-term observation. However, Anderson’s hope to see a grizzly bear reuse the den was far exceeded.
The Technology Behind the Long-Lasting Camera
The key to the camera’s decade-long survival was its design. Anderson used a Reconyx Ultrafire camera trap, known for its durability and long battery life. The camera’s weatherproof housing and high-quality storage options allowed it to record over the course of ten years in one of the harshest environments imaginable. With a 1080p HD video capacity, the camera also featured audio and was able to capture clear, continuous footage despite the challenging weather conditions in the location.
This type of camera is often used by wildlife filmmakers and researchers who need long-term, hands-off observation in remote areas. Anderson‘s choice was ideal for his project, as the Reconyx camera trap can endure extreme temperatures and rugged environments.
A few examples of the animals detected by the camera. Credit: @grizzlyguy via Instagram
Unexpected Discoveries from the Cave
Over the ten years the camera was left in the den, a surprising range of animal behaviors was captured. While Anderson had hoped to document grizzly bears, the camera recorded much more. One of the most intriguing findings was a mountain lion that returned to the den repeatedly, almost obsessively, according to Anderson. The lion’s repeated visits provided a fascinating insight into its behavior and territorial habits, something rarely observed in such detail.
“This kind of discovery is what drives me,” he noted. “I’ve spent my life locating wild places and setting up cameras to quietly observe what unfolds when no one is around.”
Other animals, including coyotes and smaller mammals, were also seen making use of the den. Despite the camera’s ultimate destruction by a curious bear, the footage was a success.