We are protecting wildlife.
Our Wildlife work aims to discover, understand, and conserve individual species or genera of animals, plants, or other forms of life. Across topics like ethology, population biology, evolutionary biology, conservation technology, species conservation, and related fields — our goal is to inspire and empower local and global audiences to better understand and protect them.
Our Explorers are working around the world to save threatened wildlife, safeguard ecosystems, and educate and encourage people to co-exist more peacefully with local animal populations.
Photo Ark
National Geographic Explorer, Photo Ark founder, and photographer Joel Sartore is using the power of photography to save wildlife before it’s too late. He has taken portraits of 12,000 species — and counting — in his quest to document our world’s astonishing diversity! He’s over halfway to his goal of documenting the approximately 20,000 species living in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.
Our Wildlife Explorers
Through their important work, they document, inspire, educate, and engage to preserve critical species around the globe.
Our Wildlife Explorers courageously work to end wildlife trafficking and protect at-risk species at the edge of extinction. On the frontlines of conservation, they help safeguard fragile ecosystems for future generations to come.
Wildlife Explorers
Read more stories of impact from some of our Wildife Explorers on nationalgeographic.com
Paula Kahumbu: Telling the story of the ocean
Jane Goodall: Championing animal conservation for six decades
Rae Wynn-Grant: Finding harmony for humans and bears
Krithi Karanth: Finding the balance between human communities and nature
Rodrigo Medellín: Becoming the 'Bat Man' of Mexico
Making a difference
Help us protect at risk species
Inspire the next generation to save our wildlife
Explore wildlife in our Resource Library. We've made available for educators and learners lessons, articles, maps, videos, and so much more, to inspire our mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
Support our work
We have a duty to protect our Earth's precious wildlife. By helping people understand wildlife, we believe they will form deeper emotional connections to our planet's species. Will you help protect the wonder of our world?
Photo Credits from top of page: Beverly Joubert, Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark, Charlie Hamilton James, Michael Nichols, Ronan Donovan. Below: Michael Nichols, Andy Mann, Paul Nicklen, Ami Vitale, Christian Tryon, Kenneth Garrett, Mark Thiessen.