Internationally celebrated photographer and conservationist Joel Sartore’s creation, the National Geographic Photo Ark, features portraits of CALM animals as part of its 15,000 at-risk species he’s already documented.  He is on track to reach his goal of photographing 20,000 species living in the world’s zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries. Through his decades-long project, Sartore aims to inspire action through education and help save wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation efforts.

During his visit to CALM, he photographed Nubbins, the Antelope ground squirrel; Pocky, the pocket mouse; Tula, the deer mouse; Tina, the American porcupine; Wrong Way, the scrub jay; and Juniper and Beatrix, two mule deer.

For more information and to view the local animals’ photos, visit www.news.kern.org. And, for a more complete photo spread of this impressive project, visit www.joelsartore.com/photo-ark.