Wolves of the Southwest | Filming The Wild
A Quiet Moment in Wolf Country: Unused Footage from “Gray Area”
In the making of Gray Area: Wolves of the Southwest, I spent countless hours in the wild, capturing the Mexican gray wolf’s remarkable return to the landscape. While much of this footage made it into the final film, some of the quieter, more intimate scenes didn’t make the cut. Today, I’m sharing a new video on my YouTube channel that compiles these unused shots into a short, powerful reel that speaks to the wild spirit of these wolves.
At just over three minutes, this piece has no narration — only the raw, unfiltered beauty of los lobos as they step back into the wild. You’ll see the rarely witnessed moments of wolf releases: crates opening, paws touching earth, and wolves slipping into the forest to reclaim their ancestral home. These wolves are among the most endangered mammals in North America, with fewer than 300 individuals in the wild. Each release is a quiet act of hope, a step toward recovery for a species nearly lost.
These clips, repurposed from the cutting room floor, hold the same magic and wonder I felt in the field. They are a testament to the resilience of these animals and the power of conservation.
I invite you to watch this short video and witness the quiet triumphs of a species finding its place once more. If you believe in the return of wild wolves — subscribe, share, and support our work to tell their story.
Thank you for following along on this journey.
