Since 2006, National Geographic Explorer Joel Sartore has been traveling the globe in a bid to document as many species as humanly possible. Now, he has approached a number that once seemed unthinkable—17,000 species lovingly coaxed into posing for his camera. Usually, Sartore and his team select one species to highlight at each milestone, but with birds-of-paradise, he says, “it was just impossible for us to choose.” There are about 40 species in the birds-of-paradise family, and all are native to either Papua New Guinea, its surrounding islands, or Australia. Learn more about them at the link in bio. #PhotoArk Photos and videos by joelsartore Though beautiful, wild animals should never be kept as pets. All the animals in the Port Moresby Nature Park are the result of rescues and confiscations.