Seth has loved wildlife as long as he can remember. With a zoology degree in hand, fresh from University, he traveled throughout the United States as a field biologist doing bird migration surveys and carnivore presence/absence surveys. Over two decades ago, he came to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem on assignment to track carnivores through the Wyoming Range of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. His guiding experience spans continents, from the rainforests of South America to the National Parks right here in our backyard. Seth has a passion for Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park and enjoys sharing his insights and knowledge about our local wildlife and the ecosystem they call home.
Seth has been guiding since 2005.
Certifications
- B.S. Zoology | Southern Illinois University
- Level II Wildlife Track & Sign / CyberTracker
- Wilderness First Responder & CPR
- Ziess Optics Ambassador
More Adventures
Seth's Favorite Safari Tours
Bio
Seth Ames is the Lead Naturalist Guide at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole, where he directs the in-house naturalist program and curates immersive wildlife experiences throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. His signature expedition—a scenic flight over Yellowstone followed by a guided journey through the predator-rich Lamar Valley—offers guests intimate access to wolves, grizzlies, and elk in one of North America’s wildest landscapes. With more than 25 years of field experience, Seth blends the observational precision of a biologist with the intuitive leadership of a world-class guide.
Seth’s career has taken him across the globe, but his foundation lies in large carnivore research. He has tracked wolves and mountain lions across snowy Wyoming ranges, radio-tagged lynx for the U.S. Forest Service, and monitored bald eagle behavior along Arizona waterways. As a federally contracted biologist, he’s conducted presence/absence studies for forest carnivores, managed multi-agency compliance in fragile ecosystems, and led wildlife tours for National Geographic teams in the Amazon. His resume also includes guiding grizzly bear expeditions in British Columbia and contributing to behavioral research on threatened raptors and rare amphibians.
Beyond guiding, Seth has managed a conservation lodge in Ethiopia, and he is regularly invited to assess and scout lodge operations in biodiversity hotspots including the Galápagos Islands, the Ecuadorian Amazon, Churchill, and northern India’s snow leopard terrain. In his free time, he uses camera traps to document elusive wildlife in areas with potential for eco-tourism development. Whether he’s tracking carnivores on foot or scanning the horizon with guests, Seth offers a rare combination of scientific expertise, operational leadership, and an unwavering passion for wild places.
