Photo gallery: An exclusive peek at the animals of the National Geographic Photo Ark

At the Western Veterinary Conference in March, National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore, spoke on “A World Worth Saving-The Photo Ark,” sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. The Photo Ark is Sartore's effort to take photos of all animals in captivity, and the five images in this gallery are a mere sampling of photos that are a part the project. Peruse the precious faces, and then click here to read more about the National Geographic Photo Ark and how everyone involved in veterinary medicine can help save these animals-and the world.

A Coquerel's sifaka, Propithecus coquereli, at the Houston Zoo. (Photo copyright Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark: natgeophotoark.org)

A federally threatened koala, Phascolarctos cinereus, with her babies at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. (Photo copyright Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark: natgeophotoark.org)

A pygmy slow loris, Nycticebus pygmaeus, at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. (Photo copyright Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark: natgeophotoark.org)

A critically endangered African white backed vulture, Gyps africanus, at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. (Photo copyright Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark: natgeophotoark.org)

A Fiji Island banded iguana, Brachylophus fasciatus, at the Los Angeles Zoo. (Photo copyright Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark: natgeophotoark.org)

Love these photos? Click here to read Joel Sartore's advice to veterinary professionals about caring for all species.