Ronan Donovan
Ronan Donovan is a wildlife biologist and National Geographic photographer who reveals the social lives of wolves, chimps, and gorillas, and the deep connections that bind all living things.
Wolf Whisperer
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Natural History Filmmaker
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Wildlife Biologist
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Wolf Whisperer • Natural History Filmmaker • Wildlife Biologist •
More about Ronan
National Geographic Explorer Ronan Donovan is a wildlife biologist turned conservation photographer. He uses visual storytelling to illuminate stories related to our fellow social mammals to remind us that we are all connected and to promote the preservation of our shared habitat.
Ronan has embedded for months at a time, year after year, with wild families of wolves, chimpanzees, and mountain gorillas to capture astonishing imagery that highlights their challenges, behaviors, and family bonds. His time in the field has resulted in five National Geographic feature stories on the conservation status of these species. You can watch Ronan in action in Kingdom of the White Wolf (Disney+) and in Planet Earth 3 (Amazon Prime). His first photo exhibition, titled Wolves, will be traveling for the next 3 years.
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With a deep passion for the wild and a keen eye for understanding animal behavior, Ronan’s work transcends traditional wildlife photography, offering a unique window into how some of the most fascinating animals on our planet live, how some of their social structures mimic our own—and showing us why they deserve our protection. From documenting the playful antics of wolf pups in Yellowstone National Park to capturing the grace and power of endangered elephants in Africa, Ronan’s work transports us into the heart of the animal kingdom. He is now working on a long-term project exploring the relationship between humans and wolves around the world, with a focus on coexistence.
Speaking Topics
Leadership
Resilience
Conservation
Science
Exploration
Nature
Watch Ronan in action
Presentations
Exploring Our Wild Nature:
Wolves, Chimps & Gorillas
What does it mean to be human? Biologist-turned-photographer Ronan Donovan explores this by embedding for months with charismatic social mammals—chimpanzees, wolves, and gorillas. Through intimate stories and striking imagery, he reveals how these animals build relationships, communicate, and adapt, offering profound insights into our own behavior and what we can learn from our wild kin.
"Empathy is a powerful tool that is present in all social mammals and even has the ability to transcend species."
– Ronan Donovan