A Saint Vincent parrot, Amazona guildingii, at the Houston Zoo, Texas, 2015. Photo by Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark

Project Overview

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. The National Geographic Photo Ark is a multiyear effort to raise awareness of and find solutions to some of the most pressing issues affecting wildlife and their habitats. Founded by Joel Sartore—National Geographic Explorer, photographer and 2018 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year—the project aims to document every species living in the world’s zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries; inspire action through education; and help save wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation efforts.

Joel Sartore started the National Geographic Photo Ark in his hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, more than 15 years ago. Since then, Sartore, a world-renowned photographer, has traveled the world in his quest to create a photo archive of global biodiversity that will feature portraits of more than 20,000 species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Once completed, the Photo Ark will serve as an important record of each animal’s existence and a powerful testament to the importance of saving them. 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 intimate and moving. “It’s the eye contact that moves people,” Sartore explains. “It engages their feelings of compassion and a desire to help.”

The National Geographic Photo Ark is a powerful tool for teaching people of all ages about our planet’s amazing biodiversity and fostering a real connection to Earth’s wildlife. The project engages students in the classroom through free educational materials and activities, and inspires the public through special exhibitions, books, TV specials, features in National Geographic magazine, and events around the world. An interactive digital experience allows people to engage with Photo Ark content on our website, explore animals in the collection, and share information about at-risk species with their social networks.

More than tens of thousands of species worldwide are threatened with extinction. That’s why the National Geographic Society and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) launched the National Geographic Photo Ark EDGE of Existence Fellowship program. Using a scientific framework to identify the world’s most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species, the program builds conservation capacity in targeted regions across the globe to protect some of the most threatened and distinctive species on the planet by funding and training local conservationists. The program also provides funding, training, and capacity development to on-the- ground conservationists. Learn more at NatGeoPhotoArk.org.

A bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, at Monterey Bay Aquarium, 2014. Photo by Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark

Join us, and help make a difference by sharing, supporting, and saving. Donate at NatGeoPhotoArk.org.