National Geographic Photo Ark at Melbourne Zoo

Post

Subscribe

Sat 01 Jul 2017 - Sun 01 Oct 2017

World-renowned National Geographic photographer and fellow Joel Sartore has spent over a decade travelling to more than 250 zoos, aquariums and animal rescue centres around the world to complete studio portraits of more than 6,000 species to create The Photo Ark . The aim of this ambitious project is to capture portraits of the world's species before they disappear.

This winter, in an Australian-first, this exclusive exhibition will be on display at Melbourne Zoo , so that visitors can come face-to-face with over 50 of these beautiful images within this photo archive of global biodiversity.



It is very fitting for The Photo Ark exhibition to be held in Melbourne as many of the images were taken at Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary and local species such as the Orange-bellied Parrot and Eastern Barred Bandicoot and many others featured, are part of Zoos Victoria's Fighting Extinction list of critically threatened species native to south-eastern Australia.



By capturing the world's rare and unique animals as individuals, up close and on black or white backgrounds, you are drawn to the intricate details and astounding beauty of their eyes and body coverings. It's hard not to make a connection with these compelling images of animals that are essentially conservation ambassadors for their species. As the director of Melbourne Zoo, Kevin Tanner stated, "many of these species may be extinct in five to ten years", the aim of The Photo Ark is to create a photo archive of biodiversity and in doing so use the power of photography to inspire people to care and to act to protect these animals before it's too late.



It's always great being able to visit Melbourne Zoo and see some of the extraordinary animals on display as you wander around the grounds.The haunting collection of photographs in this exhibition however, encourages you pause, walk slowly and gaze at some amazing animals and the colours and textures of their fur, scale or feathers that are so detailed it feels as if you could reach out and touch them. Some of the animals you may know well and others you may never have heard of, but each are unique and extraordinary and some are critically endangered. When completed, The Photo Ark aims to be a complete collection of the more than 12,000 species in human care around the world, representing several animal classes, including birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. If you love animals, admire great photography or just enjoy beautiful artworks, you will appreciate this exhibition.



The Photo Ark exhibition will be on display in the Leopard Lodge at the Melbourne Zoo between the 1st of July and the 1st of October from 9am to 5pm seven days a week and entry is included with general admission. You can save time and buy tickets online , or purchase them at the gate.

#photography
#parkville
#city
#exhibitions
#attractions
#art
#animals_wildlife
#zoos
#july
#august
#september
#october
!date 01/07/2017 -- 01/10/2017
%wnmelbourne