A wildlife photographer was surprised to find that a trail camera he placed in a den was still working after more than a decade.
Wildlife filmmaker Casey Anderson claimed he left a camera behind in a bear den near Yellowstone more than 10 years ago, Newsweek reported.
In a video posted on the Endless Venture YouTube account (@endlessventure), Anderson returned to reclaim the camera.
To his surprise, after an alleged decade long gap, the camera remained functional, if quite battered, and the remarkably clean batteries inside still hadn’t drained after 10 years of inconsistent use.
The first video he recovered showed a curious mountain lion looking directly at the camera before sliding away. Bears, coyotes, and other smaller animals have also been caught on camera.
“This kind of discovery is what drives me. I’ve spent my life finding wild places and setting up cameras to quietly observe what happens when no one is around,” Anderson told Newsweek.
Trail cameras are an incredibly valuable tool for cost-effective and unobtrusive wildlife monitoring. When strategically placed, they can capture a lot of invaluable information, and can continuously reach and record in places that humans cannot easily access.
They have also been known to reveal unexpected behaviors such as mutualistic relationships between species that appear to be natural enemies. Impressive feats of stamina or athleticism caught on camera can draw attention to conservation efforts.
Occasionally, trail cameras capture critical evidence of wild animals straying far from their known ranges, information that can help strengthen local efforts to protect their habitats.
Similarly, when a highly elusive species is spotted by trail cameras, such sightings can raise public support for stronger conservation laws.
In the comments section of the video, viewers clamored for more new footage after eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the first clips.
“I couldn’t wait for you guys to show us what was on those memory cards,” said one viewer.
“I look forward to a future video showing more events happening from the cameras,” replied another.
“I’m looking forward to seeing it all,” agreed a third.
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