After teaching high school geography and art for 20 years in Ontario, Robert Bateman retired in 1976 to paint full time. Since the 1960s, he has been an active member of many naturalist and conservation organizations, and has used his wildlife paintings and prints to raise millions of dollars for these causes.

His artworks hang in permanent collections all over the world, his most notable one man exhibition having been held at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

He has received many honorary doctorates and awards, and was named to the Order of Canada.