Close Anyone who uses social media daily has almost certainly seen enough adorable animal photos to last a lifetime. Animal photos are not just pretty pictures. According to one veteran wildlife photographer, they may be the secret to "saving the planet." Joel Sartore said he's taken about 11,000 of his unusual animal portraits in the last 16 years while unloading his camera gear at Utah's Hogle Zoo. His "Photo Ark" initiative aims to capture photos of an animal currently being cared for by humans, worldwide. In zoos, aquariums, and other private buildings, he says there are between 15,000 and 17,000 animals, all of which are fair game for his camera and the project.