National Geographic Photo Ark Celebrates 20 Years and 18,000 Species with Red Handfish
In 2006, Joel Sartore established National Geographic's Photo Ark, which is now celebrating its 20th anniversary alongside the milestone of capturing its 18,000th animal: the critically endangered red handfish (Thymichthys politus). With a population of fewer than 250 in the wild, this tiny fish, which traverses the seafloor, is threatened by habitat destruction and climate change, residing solely off the coast of Tasmania. Sartore took its photograph at a facility in Hobart, Tasmania. The initiative seeks to document every animal species through engaging studio-style photography. Ian Miller from the National Geographic Society commended its role in conservation. Additionally, the Photo Ark serves as an educational resource and supports conservation efforts, emphasizing potential future species preservation.
Key facts
- National Geographic Photo Ark celebrates its 20th anniversary and 18,000th animal photographed.
- The 18,000th species is the red handfish (Thymichthys politus), a critically endangered fish.
- Fewer than 250 red handfish remain in the wild.
- Red handfish are found only in small areas off the coast of Tasmania.
- The fish uses hand-like fins to walk along the seafloor and travels only the length of a basketball court in its lifetime.
- Joel Sartore founded the Photo Ark in 2006 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
- The red handfish was photographed at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies in Hobart, Tasmania.
- The Photo Ark aims to photograph every animal species in human care with studio-style lighting.
- Ian Miller of the National Geographic Society commented on the project's impact.
- The Photo Ark funds conservation projects through grants.
Entities
Artists
- Joel Sartore
- Cole Sartore
- George Gann
- Luis A. Coloma
- Kathy Sartore
Institutions
- National Geographic Photo Ark
- National Geographic Society
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
- University of Tasmania
- National Geographic
- Lincoln Children's Zoo
- University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
- Jambatu Center for Amphibian Research and Conservation
- Institute for Regional Conservation
- Houston Zoo
- Dallas World Aquarium
- Auckland Zoo
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Great Plains Zoo
- Columbus Zoo
- Lowry Park Zoo
- San Francisco State University
- Raptor Recovery Nebraska
- Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
- Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital
Locations
- Tasmania
- Hobart
- Lincoln
- Nebraska
- Lincoln Children's Zoo
- Australia
- Ecuador
- Quito
- Florida
- Pine Rocklands
- Minnesota
- Texas
- Houston
- Dallas
- New Zealand
- Auckland
- California
- San Francisco
- South Dakota
- Ohio
- Kansas
- Tampa
- Monterey Bay