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Joel on assignment photographing the federally endangered Iowa Pleistocene snail (Discus macclintocki).

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A least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) at Iowa Bird Rehabilitation in Des Moines, IA.

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A least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) at Iowa Bird Rehabilitation in Des Moines, IA.

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A least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) at Iowa Bird Rehabilitation in Des Moines, IA.

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A least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) at Iowa Bird Rehabilitation in Des Moines, IA.

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A least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) at Iowa Bird Rehabilitation in Des Moines, IA.

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A vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) at the Iowa Bird Rehabilitation in Des Moines, IA.

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A vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) at the Iowa Bird Rehabilitation in Des Moines, IA.

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A vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) at the Iowa Bird Rehabilitation in Des Moines, IA.

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A vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) at Iowa Bird Rehabilitation in Des Moines, IA.

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A ringed map turtle, Graptemys oculifera, at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, IA. This species is listed as endangered (IUCN) and federally threatened.

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A portrait of Joel Sartore taken by Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Kanzi took the portrait with a remote trigger during a Photo Ark documentary series by Nat Geo Wild.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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ANI106-00122

Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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ANI106-00121

Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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ANI106-00120

Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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ANI106-00117

Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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ANI106-00115

Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

Photo

ANI106-00114

Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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ANI106-00113

Kanzi the Bonobo (Pan paniscus) at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bonobos are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is the only research facility in North America to exclusively house and study bonobos. The Ape Initiative’s programs aim to enrich the lives of bonobos and increase awareness of bonobos and other great apes worldwide through responsible and sustainable research and conservation education. The Ape Initiative is situated on 230 acres in Des Moines, Iowa, USA – with over 6 acres of ape-accessible space. The Ape Initiative bonobos include the world-famous Kanzi, whose comprehension of spoken English and use of a lexigram keyboard has been well documented. All bonobos living at the Ape Initiative participate in a variety of husbandry activities as well as behavioral and cognitive research aimed at uncovering the evolutionary origins of human language, cognition, and behavior.

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A federally threatened ringed map turtle, Graptemys oculifera, at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.

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A chocolate cichlid (Hypselecara temporalis) at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA.

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A chocolate cichlid (Hypselecara temporalis) at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA.

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A smooth lumpfish (Cyclopteropsis jordani) at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA.

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A smooth lumpfish (Cyclopteropsis jordani) at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA.

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A smooth lumpfish (Cyclopteropsis jordani) at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA.

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Gigi, a two-week-old Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA. She is being hand-raised for the first couple months because her mom wouldn’t nurse her. Gigi will be re-integrated into the rest of the troop by the time she’s four-months-old.

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Gigi, a two-week-old Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA. She is being hand-raised for the first couple months because her mom wouldn’t nurse her. Gigi will be re-integrated into the rest of the troop by the time she’s four-months-old.

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Gigi, a two-week-old Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA. She is being hand-raised for the first couple months because her mom wouldn’t nurse her. Gigi will be re-integrated into the rest of the troop by the time she’s four-months-old.

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Gigi, a two-week-old Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA. She is being hand-raised for the first couple months because her mom wouldn’t nurse her. Gigi will be re-integrated into the rest of the troop by the time she’s four-months-old.

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ANI106-00068

Gigi, a two-week-old Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA. She is being hand-raised for the first couple months because her mom wouldn’t nurse her. Gigi will be re-integrated into the rest of the troop by the time she’s four-months-old.

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

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