An adorable bear cub has delighted researchers after adjusting a trail camera that later captured surprisingly good footage of wildlife.
A video taken by the trail camera shows a bear cub walking with other bears in the Voyageurs National Park, in the state of Minnesota, USA, in September 2022.
But just the next moment, the footage sees the bear setting an eye on the Browning Spec Ops camera and slowly approaching it before it ‘readjusts’ it on its own.
After the chubby fellow ‘set’ the camera, it then steps away from it and continues walking forward alongside his family.
But the little one probably is not even aware that his method of adjustment brought researchers from University of Minnesota’s Voyageurs Wolf Project some very decent close-up videos of wildlife in the area.
Some of the animals included wolves, foxes, as well as North America’s native ruffed grouses, fishers and a bobcat, also known as the red lynx.
The Voyageurs Wolf Project said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “What’s more, the cub was even kind enough to come check on the camera with its family a few weeks after making these alterations… How generous!”
The project was reportedly established to gain more knowledge of the summer ecology of wolves in the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem, located on USA’s northern border with Canada.
Project officials said: “The wolves in the video are part of the Windsong Pack and several of the videos of Windsong Pack pups.”
Over 2,200 followers reacted to the video after it was posted on Voyageurs Wolf Project’s Facebook page on Wednesday, 21st December.
User Christy Bailly said: “Thank you for all of the wonderful videos and for educating so many of us. Nature is really wonderful.
“These videos clearly show that we must keep the forest, lakes and streams protected for them.”
While Carolyn Ruggerio commented: “Stunning footage of all these beautiful creatures. Thank you for this video.”
And Julie Stone added: “It’s great seeing all the different animals and birds.
“We don’t see them in the UK – our grouse doesn’t come with fancy ruffles. Thanks for sharing.”