The National Geographic Photo Ark is leaving next week!

Posted August 14, 2017

Outdoor exhibition features stunning animal photos by National Geographic Photographer Joel Sartore

CINCINNATI (August 14, 2017) —  If you haven’t taken a selfie with a snake this summer, come to Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden before August 20 ready to pose in front of more than 50 giant animal photos taken by  National Geographic photographer and Fellow Joel Sartore.

Cincinnati Zoo is one of only three locations hosting the traveling “National Geographic Photo Ark” exhibition, which features Sartore’s photos from zoos and aquariums around the world, for its debut tour. Thousands of visitors have enjoyed viewing the striking images since the exhibition opened on May 19.

Many of the photos on display, and even more in the broader National Geographic Photo Ark collection, were taken at the Cincinnati Zoo.

“We’ve noticed people having fun with selfies in front of the photos but also having conversations about the animals in the photos,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard. “Our hope is that Joel’s powerful images will inspire people to care about saving the animals that they’re seeing up close.  That fits with the Zoo’s mission to get visitors close enough to care.”

Sartore estimates the completed National Geographic Photo Ark will include portraits of more than 12,000 species representing several animal classes, including birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. In what will be the largest single archive of studio-quality photographs of biodiversity ever, the National Geographic Photo Ark continues to move toward its goal of documenting these 12,000 species in the world’s zoos and other protected areas. These iconic portraits have captured the imagination of people around the world and have even been projected on the Empire State Building in New York and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

“Zoos are the true Arks now,” said Sartore. “At a time when so many people live in areas without access to animals, zoos keep the public engaged in the natural world while also funding habitat restoration and other critical breeding programs.”

Sunday, August 20, is the last day to see the Photo Ark exhibition at the Cincinnati Zoo.  Get creative with your selfies and join the conversation on social media with #SaveTogether and #CincyZooPic.