Joel Sartore's Photo Ark Documents 18,567 Species in Two-Decade Biodiversity Archive
Since its inception in 2006 in Lincoln, Nebraska, National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore has captured images of 18,567 animals through his Photo Ark initiative. This project aspires to document over 25,000 species, with Sartore photographing approximately 1,000 animals each year, including a newly identified cat species from Bolivia. He captures these animals in zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries, using simple backgrounds to emphasize their characteristics. In 2023, grants were awarded to conservationists through the Photo Ark Species Impact Initiative. National Geographic has also transformed this project into an educational program. Notable species featured include a springbok mantis, a baby Bornean orangutan named Aurora, and a federally endangered Florida panther. The complete archive is available on the Photo Ark website.
Key facts
- Joel Sartore has documented 18,567 animals through the Photo Ark project
- The project's goal is to catalogue more than 25,000 species
- Sartore photographs approximately 1,000 animals each year
- Photo Ark began in 2006 in Lincoln, Nebraska
- A newly discovered cat species from Bolivia is among the documented animals
- The Photo Ark Species Impact Initiative began awarding conservation grants in 2023
- National Geographic offers the project as an all-ages educational initiative in classrooms, publications, and broadcasts
- Animals are photographed against plain black or white backgrounds
Entities
Artists
- Joel Sartore
Institutions
- National Geographic
- Photo Ark
- Photo Ark Species Impact Initiative
- Auckland Zoo
- Houston Zoo
- Dallas World Aquarium
- Columbus Zoo
- Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure
- Lowry Park Zoo
- Colossal
Locations
- Lincoln
- Nebraska
- United States
- Bolivia
- Auckland
- New Zealand
- Houston
- Dallas
- Columbus
- Tampa