National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore has a big ambition: to document every species on the planet in a project he calls the Photo Ark. Each is shot, if possible, in high resolution 4K on a black background. And some are farewell portraits.
That’s because “We stand to lose half of all species to extinction by 2100,” he told reporters at a press conference earlier this year. “That’s a conservative estimate, because the human populations are on our way to going to 11 billion, and we’re already in pretty tough shape at 7 billion. So we see what could happen if people don’t stop and pay attention. So beyond just preserving these things for posterity, whether it’s in 4K video or high resolution stills, we really want people to be moved to the point where they will take action.”
The project is featured on the new three part series “Rare: Creatures of the Photo Ark” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
Also tonight on public television, Jail is hard for people but is parole. A new documentary on “Frontline” (PBS, 10 p..m.) concentrates on four people just released from the Enfield Correctional Institution in Connecticut and follows their progress, or lack of it. For some, it’s easier to slip into old habits, while others succeed in the documentary shot over an 18 month period by Matthew O’Neill.
“Being Mary Jane” (BET, 10 p.m.) returns with new episodes, as Gabrielle Union’s character continues a relationship with her boss (Michael Ealy).
The Ryan Phillippe series “Shooter” (USA, 10 p.m.) begins its second season with a terrorist attack on a Marine unit in Frankfurt.
Valerie has to be a bridesmaid on a new “Casual” (Hulu, streaming).
Geoffrey Baer samples Cuba while he can on the travelogue “Weekend in Havana” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings).
On the new “A Night with My Ex” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) people are surprised with the appearance of exes and then film them in a camera-bugged apartment.
What has “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 8 p.m.) been missing? Chris Hardwick! He joins the panel (and his seventh or so show) as cuts begin.
Misty Copeland is guest judge on “World of Dance” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
On “Below Deck Mediterranean” (Bravo, 9 p.m.), a day off in Croatia leads to a prank.
Jane begins a thing with a writer from the men’s magazine on “The Bold Type” (Freeform, 9 p.m.).
The Notorious B.I.G.’s “I’ve Got a Story to Tell” is fleshed out on “Tales” (BET, 8 p.m.).
“The Jim Jeffries Show” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) discusses the fate of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, which is coincidentally a topic on “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
Kelly audits an art class on “The Fosters” (Freeform, 8 p.m.).
David Hasselhoff’s daughter is on “Fear Factor” (MTV, 10 p.m.).
In “The Challenge XXX: Dirty 30” (MTV, 9 p.m.), the reality competition gets a cumbersome title as it returns.
A second hurricane is on its way on “Deadliest Catch” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
Debbie wants the guys to go to work on “Still the King” (CMT, 10 p.m.).
Baz shares info about Catherine’s disappearance on “Animal Kingdom” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
China’s terra cotta warriors are “Unearthed” (Science, 10 p.m.).
The leopards, tigers and lions of South Asia are the focus of “Living with Man Eaters” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.).
On “I Am Homicide” (Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.) a boy is found inside a rug in Charlotte.
A Peruvian immigrant is murdered on “Six Degrees of Murder” (Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.).
Potty training is the plan on “Outdaughtered” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
Andrew Zimmern lights a fire on “Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations” (Travel, 9 p.m.).
A gelato company in Florida gets help on “The Profit” (CNBC, 10 p.m.).
“Glee” star Lauren Potter shows up at the red carpet ball on “Born This Way” (A&E, 10 p.m.).
Living arrangements get odd on “A Question of Love” (FYI, 10 p.m.).
A pirate ship is a means to escape on “Wrecked” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.).
Five films on Turner Classic Movies tonight looks at the American South in the 1970s with “The Drowning Pool” (8 p.m.), “Ode to Billy Joe” (10 p.m.), “Deliverance” (midnight), “The Great Santina” (2 a.m.) and “Wiseblood” (4:15 a.m.)
Baseball includes Yankees at Minnesota (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
WNBA action has San Antonio at Atlanta (NBA, 11:30 a.m.) and Chicago at Seattle (ESPN2, 9 p.m.).
In soccer, it’s AC Milan vs. Borussia Dortmund (ESPNU, 7:30 a.m.) in an international champions cup.
Diving (NBC Sports, 12:30 p.m.) has its world championship team finals.
The Tour de France (NBC Sports, 8 a.m.) hits Stage 16, from Le Puy-en-Velay to Romans-sur-Isere.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Keegan-Michael Key, James Wolk. The View: Kyra Sedgwick, Allison Williams. The Talk: Cameron Mathison. Harry Connick: Gary Owen (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Eric Stonestreet, Khalid (rerun). Wendy Williams: Cardi B, Mario Cantone. The Real: Anika Noni Rose (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Keegan-Michael Key, Cillian Murphy, Matteo Lane. Jimmy Kimmel: Caitlyn Jenner, Finn Wittrock, Brett Young. Jimmy Fallon: Jada Pinkett Smith, Dane DeHaan, Rita Ora, Dave Davies. Seth Meyers: Patrick Stewart, Alison Brie, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Matt Johnson. James Corden: Harry Styles, Aaron Taylor-Johnson (rerun). Carson Daly: Lamorne Morris, Jeff Rosenstock, Split Single, Jane Marie (rerun). Trevor Noah: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Conan O’Brien: Dana Carvey, Claudia O’Doherty, Brad Wenzel (rerun).