“We are the Earth’s eater. We consume everything we can all the time,” warns National Geographic photographer and explorer, Joel Sartore.
This sobering statement serves as the driving force behind his ambitious project, the National Geographic Photo Ark.
Recently opened in Bangkok, the Photo Ark uses stunning photography to document every possible species living in zoos, aquariums, and sanctuaries worldwide.
But Sartore’s lens isn’t just capturing biodiversity; it’s raising a critical question: Can we change our destructive habits and ensure a future for these amazing creatures, and ultimately, ourselves?
Habitat loss due to human activity is a major driver of extinction.
“If we can’t figure out how to save large areas of habitat – big, unspoiled, and unharvested land, oceans, forests, and mountains – it’s game over,” Sartore stressed at the opening of National Geographic Photo Ark’s “One Man’s Quest to Document the World’s Animals” exhibition.
As the head of Photo Ark, Sartore traveled around the globe to document every species in zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries with a goal to inspire the public about the urgency of protecting wildlife and nature.
Passionate about wildlife conservation, Sartore has pioneered this Photo Ark project since 2006.
His career in wildlife conservations goes back 34 years, half spent as a photojournalist at National Geographic and the rest on the Photo Ark.
He said: “As a photographer/journalist, this is what I can do – telling stories in a compelling way; and I hope the world responds.”
However, he realizes that no amount of photography or videography can fix the problem unless people join the cause.
The exhibition photos, whether of wildlife, reptiles, birds, or insects, “whisper” the urgency of saving nature and all living creatures, including humans.
In this way, the Photo Ark serves as a stark reminder of the species we stand to lose if we don’t change course.
“We try and always find images where the individual animal is making eye contact with the camera,” he said, leading a tour at the Bangkok exhibition. “Because as primates, we connect so much with other species through the eyes.”
Each visually powerful photo, with either a black or white background, has a great impact as a compelling narrative that inspires action.
Sartore wants to get his message across and get everyone involved. For instance, a large-sized photo of a Northern White Rhinoceros in Kenya would give everyone a shocking fact: there are only two of them left in the whole world!
“These animals need the same things you and I need to survive – food, clean air, water, and a stable climate. As they go away, they’re telling us we can’t live here anymore,” Sartore cited.
He urged everyone to think hard about whether they care if a species goes extinct and whether we, humans, would survive if the animals can’t.
The Photo Ark exhibition features some of Sartore’s most captivating images, including some that are endemic to Thailand.
Prior to the show opening, Sartore spent a week in Thailand documenting animals in various places, including Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo and the Snake Farm in Bangkok.
Visitors will have the opportunity to come face-to-face with the Indochinese Tiger from Thailand at the exhibition too.
“We’ve shot more than 100 species during our visit to Thailand,” Sartore said, mentioning the need to educate local people about local problems.
“Thailand has amazing biodiversity – birds and reptiles. Will you choose to conserve it or consume everything?”
Through all his photos, the renowned photographer hopes to underline the fact that more than tens of thousands of species worldwide are threatened with extinction.
“If humans only care about consumption, it won’t work,” he says. “Ask yourself, what else can you do? What voice can you give? Perhaps you can be the voice of nature.”
The National Geographic Photo Ark stands as a testament to the beauty and fragility of life on Earth.
Through his captivating portraits, Joel Sartore not only documents endangered species but delivers a powerful message about our responsibility as stewards of the planet.
Sartore’s call to action is clear: we must limit our “urges” and protect the habitats of these creatures. The future of all species, including our own, depends on it.
National Geographic Photo Ark’s “One Man’s Quest to Document the World’s Animals” exhibition was held from July 11 to 29, 2024, at the Living Hall, 3rd floor of the Siam Paragon shopping mall.
Admission was free. The exhibition was part of the US Embassy’s campaign to highlight US-Thai collaboration on wildlife conservation efforts.
By Veena Thoopkrajae//Photo by Veena Thoopkrajae/NatGO Photo Ark