NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

PHOTO ARK

SPECIES TO DATE

16,000

The National Geographic Photo Ark uses the power of photography to inspire people to help protect at-risk species before it’s too late. Explorer, photographer, and founder of the Photo Ark Joel Sartore has taken portraits of 16,000 species — and counting — in his quest to document our world’s astonishing biodiversity! He’s over half way to his goal of documenting all of the approximately 20,000 species living in the world’s zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries.

Explore all the species in the National Geographic Photo Ark at joelsartore.com/photo-ark.

STORIES OF IMPACT

SPOTLIGHT ON

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTO ARK FEATURED ON 60 MINUTES
60 Minutes profiles National Geographic Explorer, photographer, and founder of the Photo Ark Joel Sartore on his quest to help save at-risk species by photographing every species currently living in the world’s zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries.
COURTESY OF CBS/60 MINUTES
I want people to care, to fall in love, and to take action.
Joel Sartore
Photo Ark is a multiyear effort to document every species living in zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries, inspire action through education, and help protect wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation efforts. National Geographic Explorer Joel Sartore started the Photo Ark in his hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2006. Since then, he has visited more than 50 countries and photographed more than 14,000 species in his quest to create this photo archive of global biodiversity. No matter its size, each animal is treated with the same amount of affection and respect. The results are portraits that are not just stunningly beautiful, but also intimate and moving.

MAKING AN IMPACT

WHAT WE'RE DOING

MAKING AN IMPACT

Protecting Species Through the Power of Photography

With your support, the Photo Ark will become a record of every species living in human care that inspires people to help protect these animals, fund on-the-ground conservation projects focused on those species most in need of protection, and motivate the next generation to take action through education programs.
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CREATING PORTRAITS OF HOPE

Using solid black and white backgrounds to create unique portraits, the Photo Ark makes each animal equal––so that a mouse appears just as large and important as an elephant––and allows people to look deeply into the eyes of each animal and see they are important and so worthy of protection.

PROTECTING SPECIES AT RISK

To help save wildlife and sound the alarm for lesser-known species at risk, we partnered with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) to create the National Geographic Photo Ark EDGE Fellowships. The program provides funding, training, and capacity development to on-the-ground conservationists working to bring the most at-risk species featured in Photo Ark back from the verge of extinction. Learn More About the Fellows

INSPIRING LEARNING AND ACTION

The National Geographic Photo Ark is teaching people of all ages about our planet’s amazing biodiversity and fostering a real human connection to Earth’s animals. The project engages students in the classroom through free educational materials and activities, and inspires the public through special exhibitions and events around the world. An interactive digital experience allows learners to explore each animal in the collection and share information about endangered species with their friends.

RAISING AWARENESS THROUGH EXHIBITIONS

Museums and institutions around the world are hosting Photo Ark exhibitions to raise awareness for many species in need of greater conservation. Each exhibition features large-format prints, as well as a grid of many more images to highlight the range of species in the Photo Ark.

AT-RISK SPECIES

WHY IT MATTERS

WHY IT MATTERS

SOUNDING THE ALARM FOR AT-RISK SPECIES, ONE PHOTOGRAPH AT A TIME

The interaction between animals and their environments are critical for maintaining a healthy planet that we call home. But for many species, time is running out. When you remove one, it affects us all. That’s why National Geographic, along with Explorer Joel Sartore, is dedicated to finding solutions to protect them.

We’re documenting every species in human care to inspire people to care and help protect these animals. Creating intimate portraits of an estimated 20,000 species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates serves as an important record of each animal’s existence, and a powerful testament to the importance of saving them.

“IT’S THE EYE CONTACT THAT MOVES PEOPLE. IT ENGAGES FEELINGS OF COMPASSION AND A DESIRE TO HELP.” 

Joel Sartore

Explorer, photographer, and founder of Photo Ark

PROTECTING AT-RISK SPECIES 

Photo Ark supports on-the-ground conservation projects to help protect and save species in decline. Much-needed funding and attention is provided to endangered species (including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish) that we have a real chance of helping, and which do not currently have a sustained effort from others to protect them.

RESOURCES

LEARN WITH PHOTO ARK

Use the resources on this page to teach about the amazing animals in the Photo Ark, highlight the importance of storytelling in conservation, and empower students to spread the word about species extinction.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

Use these activities to highlight the importance of conservation and storytelling.

Highlight the relationship between habitat and animal conservation in this activity for grades 3-5.

Empower students to develop their own storytelling styles, and emphasize the role of writing and photography in conservation. Meant for grades 6-8.

Introduce students to the factors and consequences of widespread amphibian decline with this activity from Explorer magazine for grades 3-5.

Idea Set

PROTECT SPECIES
Explore articles, photographs, videos, and activities inspired by the National Geographic Photo Ark. Connect with animals, learn about species protection, and investigate ways you can take action to protect species.

Experience

PHOTO ARK & GOOGLE EARTH

Go behind the scenes and learn more about the amazing species in the Photo Ark with this interactive Google Earth Voyager Story.

RESOURCES

Teach your students about animal adaptations, inspire them to think critically about species extinction, and encourage them to develop their own opinions about conservation.

EXPLORER MAGAZINE

Introduce students to Joel Sartore and some of the amazing animals in the Photo Ark with these handouts.

Bring the world into your classroom with Explorer magazine.

MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

Museums and institutions around the world are hosting Photo Ark exhibitions to raise awareness for many species in need of greater conservation. Each exhibition will feature large-format prints, as well as a grid of many more images to highlight the range of species in the Photo Ark. Visitors are encouraged to take selfies with these impressive portraits to show their support.

BRUCE MUSEUM LOCATED IN GREENWICH, CT 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

HELP BUILD THE PHOTO ARK

Thousands of species are at risk and time is running out. Join National Geographic Explorer Joel Sartore as he leads the Photo Ark project to document our planet’s biodiversity and find innovative solutions to help save threatened species and protect their critical habitats.

HELP US SAVE WILDLIFE

IN YOUR HOME

Consider changing your daily habits to preserve natural resources—overuse can negatively impact wildlife. Avoid single-use plastics, eat less meat and educate your friends and family about the importance of protecting the planet.

IN YOUR BACKYARD

Look for alternatives to putting chemicals on your lawn, which poison the soil, air, and water. Dedicate your home and/or office landscaping to native plants in order to save pollinating insects, which play a crucial role in producing fruits and vegetables. 

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Learn about species that are native to where you live and help them thrive by preserving and restoring their habitats. Explore local green spaces and consider volunteer opportunities with wildlife rehabilitation efforts in your community.

READ THE BOOK

VANISHING

Vanishing, The World’s Most Vulnerable Animals, is filled with Sartore’s stunning photos of 287 of the world’s most vulnerable species.

CONNECT

FOLLOW PHOTO ARK

Keep up with Photo Ark and Joel Sartore by following the project on Facebook and Instagram.

Get updates about our critical work to explore and protect our planet.

GIVE TODAY!
The National Geographic Society is proud to invest in a global community of intrepid Explorers working to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Make a tax-deductible gift to support the Society today, and your support will help fund the next generation of changemakers.