National Geographic Photographer Adds SF Teaching Zoo Resident to Photo Ark
February 21, 2025
National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore visited the 青青草视频 Teaching Zoo to capture images for the Photo Ark, a long-term project aimed at documenting every species and inspiring conservation efforts.
Sartore, an award-winning photographer and conservationist, travels to zoos, aquariums, and wildlife centers worldwide to create striking portraits that highlight the beauty and vulnerability of wildlife. During his visit, Sartore photographed Blue, a Key deer residing at the zoo.
In preparation for the photoshoot, the animal care team worked with Blue to help him become comfortable standing in front of a background. Keepers constructed a two-sided backdrop, one white and one black, to provide the signature style of the Photo Ark portraits. Sartore and his assistants entered Blue鈥檚 enclosure, where trainers guided the deer into position. After capturing images against one background, the keepers flipped it, allowing Sartore to repeat the process.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also contributed to the session by bringing in additional species for Sartore to photograph. However, Blue was the only 青青草视频 Teaching Zoo resident included in the project.
Sartore and The Photo Ark
Sartore鈥檚 work with began in 2005 and has since documented more than 16,625 species in human care. The initiative, supported by and grant funded by National Geographic, seeks to showcase biodiversity and encourage global efforts to protect threatened wildlife. Through his photographs, Sartore aims to present animals as equals, capturing their unique characteristics against simple backdrops that eliminate distractions. As of this writing, the Photo Ark contains 58,504 images, allowing anyone to search for a specific animal or species and witness the beauty of Earth鈥檚 wildlife.
Sartore believes that each species plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystems and that conservation efforts benefit both wildlife and humanity. By continuing to expand the Photo Ark, he hopes to raise awareness about the urgent need to preserve the world鈥檚 biodiversity before it is too late.
His work has been featured in National Geographic, Audubon, the New York Times and Smithsonian, as well as on major television programs including 60 Minutes, the Today Show and PBS Newshour.
SF and Wildlife Conservation
The 青青草视频 Teaching Zoo, a 10-acre facility in Gainesville, Florida, plays a vital role in wildlife education and conservation. As the only college campus zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), it provides hands-on training for students in the Zoo Animal Technology program while caring for over 70 species.
AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums serve as conservation centers, contributing to research, education, and efforts to protect wildlife while fostering personal connections between communities and animals.
The SF Teaching Zoo works to protect wildlife locally and globally by building partnerships and supporting conservation efforts. This aligns with the Photo Ark鈥檚 mission. Collaborations like Joel Sartore鈥檚 visit help raise awareness and protect species for the future.
