As Photo Ark turns 20, Joel Sartore photographs 18,000 animal species
Joel Sartore photographed the Photo Ark project’s 18,000th animal in Australia during its 20th anniversary year, according to Mongabay. Sartore has spent two decades photographing animal species in human care and additional species beyond that stated focus, but he said he was not completely certain which animal brought the project to the 18,000 mark.
Joel Sartore has spent 20 years photographing animal species in human care for the Photo Ark project, according to Mongabay.
During the project’s 20th anniversary year, Sartore photographed its 18,000th animal somewhere in Australia. He was not completely certain which animal moved the project past the 18,000 threshold.
THE QUESTIONS THIS EVENT LEAVES BEHIND
What criteria does the Photo Ark use to count an animal species or reach a numerical milestone?
How does photographing animals in human care affect what the project documents or leaves out?
Who determines whether the project has reached its stated species total when the milestone animal is uncertain?
What resources and access have enabled the project to continue for two decades?
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GLOBAL CURIOSITY MAP · AUGUST 2026