Video: Bobcats on the St. Louis River

PDDTV Dec 17, 2020 3 Comments

Duluth’s Mike Mayou captured video of three bobcats on the ice along the St. Louis River on Wednesday. “I happened to spot them from afar,” he wrote on the YouTube description. “After flying a drone over to investigate, I discovered that the three cats were very comfortable being up close and personal with the camera, thus this footage. Enjoy!”

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3 Comments

BadCat!

about 4 years ago 

Wow! That is absolutely amazing to see a bobcat family so close!!!

ethicalphotography

about 4 years ago 

After flying a drone over to investigate, I discovered that the three cats were very comfortable being up close and personal with the camera, thus this footage.

The cats are literally running away from the drone as it approaches. This is irresponsible wildlife photography and drone usage, and it is also irresponsible for Perfect Duluth Day to be sharing it more broadly.

National Geographic: How to photograph wildlife ethically

Paul Lundgren

about 4 years ago 

In a Duluth News Tribune article, Mayou acknowledges he doesn't think he should have got as close as he did.

Duluth photographer's video of 3 bobcats on frozen St. Louis River goes viral


"Looking back there are maybe some things I should have done differently," he said, explaining that the sighting was a spur-of-the-moment encounter, and he doesn't typically seek out wildlife.

"Getting really close to nature with a drone raises some ethical concerns. You don't want to frighten them and make their heart rates go up. So, looking back, I probably wouldn't have gotten quite as close as I did," he said.

But the cats seemed to behave quite calmly, and one of the bobcats in particular seemed curious, actually approaching quite close to the small drone, which Mayou said fits in the palm of his hand.

"I stayed there for maybe five minutes. It wasn't much longer than that, and then I flew out, because I didn't want to disturb them any more. But it was really magical," he said.

For an unplanned discovery of something so rarely seen, I would say it kind of dances on the edge of ethical. It's not flagrant endangerment of the animals, but it is disrupting them, whether they are afraid or curious or both. I hope we can call it a forgivable no-no.

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