Weird and Wonderful World of

Wildlife Photography

Podcast Guest: Joel Sartore

Renowned wildlife photographer Joel Sartore takes us on an extraordinary journey from his early days in newspaper photography to his groundbreaking work with National Geographic and the ambitious Photo Ark project. Learn how Joel uses innovative techniques, such as black and white backgrounds, to give equal prominence to all creatures, whether they are tiny insects or massive lions. Delve into the unique challenges and collaborative effort required to photograph Earth’s biodiversity, and discover how pictures play a vital role in raising public awareness about the extinction crisis.

Brace yourself for exhilarating adventure stories from Joel’s wildlife photography escapades. From close encounters with grizzly bears and spitting cobras to the humorous ordeal of Joel’s boots melting on hot lava or the time he was pelted with monkey poo!  Each tale offers a vivid glimpse into the unpredictable and often perilous world of wildlife photography. Joel also shares his personal battle with a tropical disease and the fascinating discovery of traditional healing methods in the Amazon, adding an element of intrigue and danger to his conservation efforts. Join us for an episode packed with stories, insights, and a powerful message about the importance of protecting our natural world.

Joel’s work can be seen on the Photo Ark website.

Additional links:
Photo Ark Project
Joel Sartore Instagram
Joel Sartore named 2023 Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador
“The Spider Monkey Incident” 

Protect Species Podcast

This podcast is a production of the Global Center for Species Survival, which is a partnership between the Indianapolis Zoo and the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC). We record all episodes at the Indianapolis Zoo in the Bedel Financial Media Studio, made possible by a generous gift from Elaine and Eric Bedel.