DiCaprio and Bezos Launch $200M Rescue Plan for 100 Species
Billionaire-backed initiative targets critically endangered animals and plants worldwide.
1Project Launch
The Phoenix Species Project, backed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos, aims to rescue 100 critically endangered species with a $200 million fund. A collaboration between Bezos' Earth Fund and DiCaprio's Re:wild NGO, the initiative spans 30 countries across five continents. Funding will support breeding programs, disease management, and invasive species control strategies to prevent extinction.
2Target Species
The project includes extinct-in-the-wild species like the Hawaiian Crow and Guam Kingfisher, alongside reptiles, mammals, fish, and even an African dwarf succulent nicknamed 'fuzzy belly button.' Conservation plans will be tailored for each species with input from local communities, governments, and indigenous groups. The selection emphasizes ecosystem keystones and culturally significant organisms.
3Fund Allocation
The $200 million will preserve habitats, finance translocation efforts, and enhance genetic diversity. Invasive species eradication is prioritized to restore ecological balance. Lauren Sánchez, Vice Chair of Bezos Earth Fund, stated that protecting children's beloved species is the core motivation, citing seven-year-olds' fascination with obscure creatures like the golden-crowned sifaka.
4Global Partnerships
Over 100 local and international organizations will combine traditional ecological knowledge with scientific research. Species-specific action plans include Madagascar's golden-crowned sifaka and Singapore's bowmouth guitarfish. The project bridges grassroots conservation with global resources, creating replicable models for community-led biodiversity protection.
5Biodiversity Emergency
The IUCN lists 4,000+ species as critically endangered—a fivefold increase since 2000. Another 7,252 are endangered. This initiative responds to recent rollbacks of the U.S. Endangered Species Act, demonstrating private sector leadership in conservation. It challenges the false dichotomy between economic growth and ecological preservation.
6Economic-Ecological Balance
With 1,515 species on the U.S. endangered list, the project develops alternative income models for communities near critical habitats. Sustainable eco-tourism and pollination-dependent agriculture are potential solutions. The approach counters arguments that species protection stifles development, proving ecological stewardship can be economically viable.
7Long-Term Impact
If successful, this could redefine corporate environmental responsibility. DiCaprio's influence since his 2016 documentary Before the Flood amplifies the project's reach. Despite criticism of Bezos' Blue Origin, the Earth Fund counters 'greenwashing' accusations through measurable, science-based interventions with clear conservation metrics.
8Why It Matters
Human activity severely impacts 75% of Earth's ecosystems. Beyond saving species, the project safeguards essential services like pollination, water purification, and climate regulation. As Sánchez notes, losing creatures that inspire childhood wonder threatens future ecological resilience. This initiative models how to preserve both biodiversity and human wellbeing.