The lush and unique photography in this book represents National Geographic's Photo Ark, a major initiative and lifelong project by photographer Joel Sartore to make portraits of the world's animals—especially those that are endangered. His powerful message, conveyed with humor, compassion, and art: to know these animals is to save them.
Sartore is circling the globe, visiting zoos and wildlife rescue centers to create studio portraits of 12,000 species, with an emphasis on those facing extinction. With a goal of photographing every animal in captivity in the world, he has photographed more than 6,000 already and now, thanks to a multi-year partnership with National Geographic, he may reach his goal. This book showcases his animal portraits: from tiny to mammoth, from the Florida grasshopper sparrow to the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Paired with the eloquent prose of veteran wildlife writer Douglas Chadwick, and an inspiring foreword from Harrison Ford, this book presents a thought-provoking argument for saving all the species of our planet.
“This is one of the most scientifically important—and artistically brilliant—books ever. I don’t know of any other book that has such power. You cannot see these sensitive portraits of the diversity of animals living on Planet Earth and not be entranced. And moved. And inspired to do all you can to ensure they stay with us. Joel Sartore is an ambassador extraordinaire for the beleaguered animals of our planet and should receive a Nobel Prize. No one can look at these sensitive portraits of the incredible animal beings and not be amazed and inspired to do all in our power to preserve them—all of them, all the complex tapestry of life—for our children and theirs. I can think of no other book with such a compelling message: We must each do all that we can to preserve these incredible beings—all of them. And we must act now, or it will be too late for most of them.”—Jane Goodall
“Joel Sartore’s The Photo Ark is a magnificent, awe-inspiring, encyclopedic, and forward-looking book. It surely will be game-changer for getting people to connect or to reconnect with other animals and the various landscapes that serve as their homes—to ‘rewild’ their heart—and to become deeply re-enchanted with the remarkable, fascinating, and diverse beings with whom we share our wondrous planet. I shall share it widely with a broad audience, including youngsters, who are the ambassadors for our and other animals’ future. I hope this spectacular work of art enjoys a global audience, and I honestly don't see how it won’t. It is that good.”—Marc Bekoff
“We owe it to these animals, as they struggle for survival on a human-dominated planet, to look them in the eye. Joel Sartore’s awestruck and awe-inspiring photos make that an experience of deep heart and beauty.”—David Quammen
“We love them. We are exterminating them. We have no idea most of them even exist. Every painting of Noah’s Ark shows those familiar few animals we all agree seem worthy of salvation. Elephants, giraffes...but every one of them—and most others on Earth—are in fact in mortal danger now. Their flood is us. Yet when expecting new human life we paint animals on our nursery walls. We don’t paint computers or work cubicles. We paint animals, our subconscious, hope-filled wish to greet our unborn child by saying, ‘Welcome into this life-filled world. We are not alone. We have wondrous company.’ It’s time we met those splendid souls with whom we are failing to share our planet, whom we are annihilating. Joel Sartore’s stunning images are powerful enough to make us all ask and answer the question: ‘What will I do?’” — Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words; What Animals Think and Feel
