Arctic Wolves Cozy Up To Wildlife Photographers in Magical Moment Caught on Camera
A group of wildlife photographers on an expedition in Nunavut, Canada, were recently treated to an experience of a lifetime when a pack of friendly and curious Arctic wolves approached and cozied up to them.
@silas.pijamini Saturday April 12, 2025 #ausuittuqadventures ♬ Runaway – AURORA
The man seen lying flat on the ground at the beginning of the video is 28-year-old Terry Noah. Based in Grise Fiord, Nunavut, Noah is an Inuk adventure guide, hunter, and research collaborator who leads Arctic expeditions through his business, Ausuittuq Adventures. It was on one such adventure last month with two other guides and three clients that Noah and his group encountered the wolves.
“We were on a wildlife photography expedition to Eureka from Grise Fiord, traveling 4 days and 550km one way to reach Eureka,” Noah tells PetaPixel. “Searching the area for wildlife about 100km a day for 8 days, then traveling another 4 days and 550km back to Grise Fiord, sleeping in tents and cabins along the way.”
“We found this wolf pack, and they approached us on their own with zero baiting,” Noah continued. “As we took photographs, the wolf approached us very close.
“This is possible due to the wolves hardly ever having humans hunting them due to their location — they are in a very remote area that is very rarely visited.”
A lifelong resident of Ausuittuq (AKA Grise Fiord), Noah grew up hunting and exploring the land before landing a job as an Inuit field research technician with the Canadian Wildlife Services after college. 15 years ago, Noah left that career and started his own company to guide photographers, tourists, and scientists out on the land and sea.
Noah says that while these types of encounters with Arctic wolves are rare, he has had similar experiences in his many years of hunting and adventuring across his homeland across all four seasons.
Although the wolves were seemingly friendly in this meeting, Noah did share tips with his clients on staying safe and respectful.
“So far, I have not seen or sensed any danger,” Noah says. “The wolves are very cautious and respectful of your space, and at any little sudden movement, they will jump back. Also, we make sure to never feed them so they do not associate humans with food.
“Stay close to the group and don’t leave any loose gear out, and don’t reach out or let your guard down, which would allow them to get too comfortable when they are coming close. Guides are right there, ready to help if anything happens.”
You can book your own wildlife adventure with Noah in Canada’s northernmost territory by visiting the Ausuittuq Adventures website.
Image credits: Video, still frames, and photographs by Terry Noah and used with permission
