Creature Close-Up

Over millions of years, new species arise in nature. Others gradually die off. Scientists think that before humans existed, these changes took place at about the same rate.

Today, animal species are becoming extinct about 1,000 times faster than new ones are appearing, says Stuart Pimm. He’s a biologist who studies extinction at Duke University in North Carolina. Pimm says that humans are the main reason so many species are struggling. “We’re destroying species’ homes,” he says.

Around the world, people are cutting down forests where animals live, says Pimm. They’re releasing pollution that contributes to climate change. This warms the planet and makes many habitats less suitable for the plants and animals that live there.

Humans also bring invasive species to new areas. These plants and animals compete with native species for food. They can also spread diseases to local organisms.

As a wildlife photographer, Sartore documented some of the ways human activity was harming animals. He took photos of koalas that had been killed by pet dogs in Australia. After an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, he snapped pictures of pelicans coated in oil. He hoped these photos would inspire people to protect nature. But he wanted to make a bigger impact.

New species arise in nature over millions of years. Others slowly die off. Scientists think these changes once took place at about the same rate. That was before humans came along.

Today, more and more animals are going extinct. It happens about 1,000 times faster than new ones appear. That’s according to Stuart Pimm. He’s a biologist at Duke University in North Carolina. Pimm says humans are the main reason so many creatures are struggling. “We’re destroying species’ homes,” he says.

People around the world are cutting down forests where animals live, says Pimm. They’re creating pollution. It adds to climate change that warms the planet. It also changes creatures’ habitats. That makes it harder for them to live there.

Humans also bring invasive species to new areas. These plants and animals push out local species. They can also spread diseases.

Sartore captured some of this as a wildlife photographer. He took photos of koalas killed by pet dogs in Australia. He snapped pictures of pelicans coated in oil after an oil spill. He hoped these photos would inspire people to protect nature. But he wanted to make a bigger impact. 

As more animals die out, Sartore has hurried to document them. In 2015, he traveled to the Czech Republic to photograph one of the last living northern white rhinos. Two weeks later, the animal died. Now there are only three left in the world—all in captivity.

Sartore has photographed the last living members of some species, like the Rabbs’ fringe-limbed tree frog. This brown Central American frog was discovered in 2005 and became extinct in 2016.

The extinction of a single species may seem unimportant. But the plants and animals in an ecosystem all depend on one another to survive. When one species disappears, Sartore points out, others can soon follow.

Sartore hopes that governments will pass more laws to protect endangered animals and their habitats. But individuals can make a difference too. By recycling and using less energy, you can help reduce pollution. Sartore also recommends supporting your local zoo, which works to protect endangered species.

Sartore thinks it will take him about 15 more years to photograph the rest of the world’s captive species. But he’s determined to keep going. “I still believe that people want to help,” he says. “But first, they have to meet these animals and learn what the problems are.”

Sartore has rushed to capture animals’ images as more die out. He traveled to the Czech Republic in 2015. There, he photographed one of the last living northern white rhinos. The animal died two weeks later. Now there are only three left in the world. They all live in captivity.

Sartore has taken pictures of the last living members of some species. One example is the Rabbs’ fringe-limbed tree frog. This brown frog was first found in Central America in 2005. It became extinct in 2016.

The loss of a single species may not seem important. But plants and animals live together in an ecosystem. They all need one another to survive. Sartore points out that when one species disappears, others can soon follow.

Sartore hopes governments will do more to protect wildlife. They can pass laws to protect animals and their habitats. But people can make a difference too. You can recycle and use less energy. That helps reduce pollution. Sartore also suggests supporting your local zoo. Zoos often work to protect endangered species.

Sartore thinks it will take 15 more years to finish the Photo Ark. But he’s determined to keep going. “I still believe that people want to help,” he says. “But first, they have to meet these animals and learn what the problems are.”