Photographing the world’s animals to help stop the extinction crisis

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOEL SARTORE, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CREATIVE

For many of Earth’s creatures, time is running out to keep them alive. Half of the world’s plant and animal species are projected to go extinct by 2100.

Photo Ark is a new National Geographic project with a simple goal — to create portraits of the world’s captive species before they disappear, and to inspire people everywhere to care.

The Photo Ark collection includes more than 5,000 species—but photographer Joel Sartore isn’t done. His goal is to document the world’s 12,000 captive species with the hope to inspire millions around the world with the message that it’s not too late to save some of the planet’s most endangered species.

There is also an exhibition, at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C., that features many of the images you can find at their website. It’s a shame this project is even needed in the first place, but let’s spread the word on this and help the animals survive.