Joel Sartore Joel Sartore

National Geographic Photographer and Speaker

Keyword: Captive breeding

Photo: An Attwater's prairie chick surrounded by wildflowers.

Photo

APC002-00010

An Attwater’s prairie chick surrounded by wildflowers.

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

Photo

ESA002-00247

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

Photo

ESA002-00246

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

Photo

ESA002-00248

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

Photo

ESA002-00249

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

Photo

ESA002-00242

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

Photo

ESA002-00243

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

Photo

ESA002-00244

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

Photo

ESA002-00245

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

Photo

ESA002-00241

A federally endangered Key Largo wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Fewer than 250 adults are believed left in the wild, in just two parcels of public land on Key Largo. Captive breeding efforts are underway at both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, thought the captive population still numbers less than 50 animals.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00094

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00095

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00096

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00097

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00098

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00099

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

A Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) in larva form. This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00100

A Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) in larva form. This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00088

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00089

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00090

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00091

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00092

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00093

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo

INS007-00087

Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri). This species is being captive bred at the McGuire Center at the Univ. of Florida. Thousands have been released into the wild in South Florida over the past three years. So far, results are indeterminate. Fewer than 250 exist in the wild, making it one of the rarest butterflies in North America.

Photo: A scientist holds a captive frog at the breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito's Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo

SCE048-00092

A scientist holds a captive frog at the breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito’s Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo: Extinct species of amphibians on display at Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo

SCE048-00088

Extinct species of amphibians on display at Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo: Extinct species of amphibians on display at Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo

SCE048-00089

Extinct species of amphibians on display at Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo: Extinct species of amphibians on display at Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo

SCE048-00090

Extinct species of amphibians on display at Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo: A scientist holds a captive frog at the breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito's Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo

SCE048-00091

A scientist holds a captive frog at the breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito’s Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo: A scientist examines and feeds captive frogs at the captive breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito's Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo

SCE048-00073

A scientist examines and feeds captive frogs at the captive breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito’s Catholic University, Ecuador.

An endangered marsupial frog (Gastrotheca litonedis) in the captive breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito's Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo

SCE048-00075

An endangered marsupial frog (Gastrotheca litonedis) in the captive breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito’s Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo: An extinct frog species specimen at the captive breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito's Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo

SCE048-00078

An extinct frog species specimen at the captive breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito’s Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo: Jars of extinct amphibian species from the captive breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito's Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo

SCE048-00079

Jars of extinct amphibian species from the captive breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito’s Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo: Jars of extinct amphibian species from the captive breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito's Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo

SCE048-00080

Jars of extinct amphibian species from the captive breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito’s Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo: Jars of extinct amphibian species from the captive breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito's Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo

SCE048-00081

Jars of extinct amphibian species from the captive breeding facility known as Balsa de los Sapos, or Amphibian Ark, at Quito’s Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo: Extinct species of amphibians on display at Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo

SCE048-00082

Extinct species of amphibians on display at Catholic University, Ecuador.

Photo: Julie Jensen Director of Marketing | WVC O: 866.800.7326 | D: 702.443.9249 | E: j.jensen@wvc.org

Speaking Engagements

Joel is a popular keynote speaker with conservation, corporate, and civic groups.

Hire him to entertain and inspire your audience.

Book Joel To Speak

The Photo Ark

Joel is the founder of the Photo Ark, a groundbreaking effort to document every species in captivity before it’s too late.

Explore the Photo Ark

Visit Our Store

Every purchase goes directly to support our mission: getting the public to care and helping to save species from extinction.

Help Us Build the Ark