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Cockatoo's Crest Inspires Olympic Emblem
16 Oct
Summary
- A pink cockatoo's crest inspired the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games emblem.
- Photographer Joel Sartore captured the bird's image in 2011.
- The Photo Ark project documents endangered species globally.
Fifteen years after photographing a pink cockatoo, Joel Sartore recognized its crest in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games emblem. The image, taken in 2011 at a Sunshine Coast sanctuary, captured the bird 'Cindy' displaying her crest, an organic and wild-looking feature that mirrors the emblem's design.
Sartore, known for his Photo Ark project documenting Earth's species, was alerted to his photo's influence after seeing the emblem. He recalled the spontaneous session with Cindy at 'Parrots in Paradise,' a sanctuary founded by Dail Malins. Cindy, who passed away last year, was a beloved and sociable bird.
Cindy joined Malins' sanctuary in 2000, brought home after Malins observed her poor living conditions. She thrived in the sanctuary, delighting visitors with her displays. Her unexpected role as the 'poster girl' for the 2032 Olympics has deeply touched the sanctuary staff.
Sartore's Photo Ark project, spanning over 30 years, uses studio photography to document nearly 19,000 species with plain backgrounds, giving all animals equal visual weight. The project has tangible conservation successes, like aiding funding for the endangered red handfish in Tasmania.
