Predators, especially wild cats, are almost impossible to approach, particularly at dens with young. Most people don't realize how many of the predators in calendars, note cards, and other commercial products are photographs of captive animals that are well fed, fluffy, comfortable around humans, and especially photogenic. "Wildlife models" have been used by both still and movie photographers for decades, as it is often the only cost effective way to ensure the proper background, lighting, and pose the photographer is trying to capture.

In times past, even editorial use of photos taken of hand raised animals were often not identified as captive, with editors either knowingly or innocently simply omitting the conditions under which the photos were obtained. However, today's ethics are changing, and most professional photographers provide full disclosure about their images. We are especially encouraged by such leaders in publishing such as the National Wildlife Federation, who has been in the forefront of accurate full disclosure.

Photographers are forbidden from approaching dens in National Parks in Alaska. The ethical photographer is then faced with a dilemma... does he or she locate a den outside of a park with the help of aircraft, locals familiar with the area, or a personal search? How many days, weeks or months will it take to gradually approach the den site? What if the intrusion causes the adults to move the den, or abandon it? And, if successful in getting within camera range, what protects the animals from hunters or trappers that will follow after filming is complete? It is for these reasons that we sometimes choose to work with captive or hand-raised subjects, especially baby predators. We live in a state where hunting and trapping is widespread, even within some parks. Quite frankly, we don't want a wild animal to become comfortable around humans outside of a protected area. Their wariness keeps them alive.