Wednesday, October 21, 2026

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California Couple Has Traveled to 33 Countries Photographing Every Wild Cat Species on Earth

In a remarkable fusion of passion and purpose, Sebastian Kennerknecht and Rachel Tobias have embarked on an ambitious journey to photograph every wild cat species on Earth. This California couple, driven by a shared love for wildlife and photography, has traversed 33 countries, capturing images of 39 out of the 40 species in the Felidae family. Their mission, which began with Kennerknecht's college fascination with bobcats, has grown into a global endeavor that not only showcases the beauty and diversity of these elusive creatures but also raises significant funds for conservation efforts. Their work, partnered with organizations like Panthera, has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to protect endangered species and promote coexistence between humans and wild cats.

The couple's commitment to ethical photography—eschewing bait and lures to capture natural behaviors—highlights their dedication to conservation storytelling. Despite the challenges of setting up camera traps in remote and often inhospitable environments, their efforts have brought attention to lesser-known species, underscoring the importance of protecting small wild cats to safeguard larger ones. Their innovative approach, which includes local awareness campaigns featuring billboards with messages like "I’m your neighbor," illustrates how their work extends beyond photography to fostering a global dialogue about wildlife conservation.

Constructive analysis

The constructive-journalism lens: not just what happened, but what works.

The problem
The challenge of raising awareness and funds for the conservation of wild cat species, many of which are vulnerable or endangered.
The actions
The couple travels globally to photograph wild cats ethically, raises funds through their images, and partners with conservation organizations.
Evidence of progress
They have photographed 39 wild cat species across 33 countries and raised substantial funds, such as $120,000 from a single photo for conservation efforts.
What we can learn
Others can learn the power of combining passion with purpose, using art and storytelling to engage the public and support conservation.
PERMA profile of this story

How this story scores across the PERMA dimensions.

Positive Emotion
9
Engagement
10
Relationships
8
Meaning
10
Accomplishment
10
PERMA

Character strengths in play

Top VIA strengths this story embodies.

  • Perseverance

    The couple's work is '99% frustration and 1% joy,' yet they continue to push forward despite numerous setbacks.

  • Curiosity

    Kennerknecht's journey began with a fascination for bobcats, leading to a lifelong quest to document all wild cat species.

  • Courage

    They set up camera traps in challenging environments, such as sleeping in bug-infested jungles and carrying heavy gear.

  • Kindness

    Their efforts have raised significant funds for conservation, demonstrating a deep care for the preservation of wildlife.

Try this today

Take a walk in nature and observe the wildlife around you, no matter how small or common. Consider how you might capture its beauty through photography or writing, and think about how sharing this might inspire others to appreciate and protect our natural world.