Photographer Joel
Sartore uses plain black
te backgrounds in
ictures. That’s
se he wants the
stobeonthe
animals and
nothing else.or whit
isp
cau
ocu
a
nnatgeokids.com /photo-ark
G info on
Photo Ark and learn how you
can make a difference.Clouded leopard, native to Southeast Asia
Columbus Zoo, Columbus, Ohio
“My subject was a tiny two-pound clouded leopard
cub. Caregivers were raising it because it was reject-
ed by its mom. I was holding the cat in my arms when it suddenly
scrambled onto my shoulder and climbed on my head! The cat
hugged my noggin, its fur tickling my face. It was eventually
removed by its keepers, but not before they got
a picture of us. The little feline continued
to act very silly during the photo
shoot, playing and rolling
around. It was a total
goofball!”Joel Sartore has been pecked at by a bird, turned into a jungle gym by a
clouded leopard, and slimed by a fish. And it’s all to protect animals. This
National Geographic photographer is on a mission to snap pics of all 12,
animal species living in zoos, aquariums, and other institutions worldwide.
His project, called Photo Ark, aims to inspire others to protect these crea-
tures. “I hope looking into the animals’ eyes will make people want to save
them,” Sartore says.
Since launching Photo Ark in 2006, Sartore has
photographed everything from large mammals to
tiny insects. “All animals deserve to be recognized,”
he says. Sartore works with keepers to make sure
the animals stay safe. And though he’s photograph-
ing captive animals, he’s had some pretty wild
encounters. Sartore tellsNat Geo Kidsabout his
most memorable moments.Clouded
leopards
make a
snorting
noise when
content.A photographer gives you a
behind-the-scenes look
at his quest to save animals.BY ALLYSON SHAW PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOEL SARTOREoonnnnn ttotogetmoreinfoYOU CAN
HELP TOO!
Keep
Earth
MomentofHa
COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM (SARTORE WITH CLOUDED LEOPARD)JOEL SARTORE
IS GRIPPED BY A
FEISTY CLOUDED
LEOPARD CUB.14