National Geographic Photographer Joel Sartore Visits Tucson Wildlife Center
Saturday, October 17, 2026 was a banner day at Tucson Wildlife Center. Joel Sartore, the award-winning National Geographic photographer, speaker, author, and conservationist, came to TWC to photograph several Southern Arizona species currently in our care. Sartore was named National Geographic’s 2018 Explorer of the Year.
The animals selected for the session were a cactus mouse, a Merriam’s kangaroo rat, two desert cottontails, a white-winged dove, and a vermilion flycatcher.
TWC rehabber Lauren Ross coordinated the visit and photo shoot. Lisa Bates, TWC Founder and Executive Director, and Dr. Roxy Aflalo also took part.
Sartore specializes in documenting endangered species and landscapes around the world. He founded the Photo Ark, a 25-year documentary project dedicated to saving species and their habitats. He and the Photo Ark are also the subjects of the television series RARE, which follows his work photographing some of the most endangered creatures left on Earth.
“It is folly to think that we can destroy one species and ecosystem after another and not affect humanity,” Sartore says. “When we save species, we’re actually saving ourselves.”
The photos taken at TWC will appear in an upcoming Photo Ark book. Sartore estimates the book could take up to a year to be published.
In the meantime, TWC is deeply grateful to Joel for his visit and for his lifelong dedication to the wildlife of our planet.
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