Foundations led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos have announced a $200 million initiative to revive 100 of Earth’s most threatened species, including endangered lemurs, pangolins, salamanders, and echidnas. The Phoenix Species Project, unveiled Tuesday, is described by organizers as the largest single fund dedicated exclusively to recovering critically endangered species in history.
The initiative is spearheaded by DiCaprio’s Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund, with both organizations framing the effort as a response to accelerating biodiversity loss driven by habitat destruction and climate change. The project follows years of planning, including discussions in 2021 between DiCaprio, Bezos, and representatives from local governments, environmental groups, and Indigenous communities to identify species in urgent need of intervention.
Targeted species and regions
The Phoenix Species Project will focus on 100 species across six continents, including:
- Golden-crowned sifaka (a lemur from Madagascar)
- Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander (a lungless tree-dweller found only in North Carolina)
- Visayan warty pig (endemic to the Philippines)
- Cozumel harvest mouse (found exclusively on Mexico’s Cozumel Island)
- Pink land iguana (restricted to Wolf Volcano in the Galápagos Islands)
- Malayan pangolin (native to Southeast Asia)
- Starry night harlequin toad (a black-and-white amphibian in the Andes)
Funding and implementation
The $200 million commitment will be allocated over multiple years, with funds directed toward habitat restoration, anti-poaching measures, captive breeding programs, and community-based conservation efforts. Organizers emphasize that local Indigenous groups and regional experts will play a central role in designing and executing recovery strategies.
DiCaprio, whose Re:wild has long advocated for species conservation, first proposed a large-scale initiative in 2021. The Bezos Earth Fund, chaired by Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, joined the effort after initial discussions. The project was developed through consultations with scientists, policymakers, and Indigenous leaders to ensure interventions align with ecological and cultural priorities.
Reaction and expectations
While the announcement has drawn praise from environmental advocates, some critics question whether private funding can sustain long-term conservation efforts without broader systemic changes. Supporters argue that the project fills critical gaps in funding for species with limited public attention, while skeptics highlight the need for stronger global policies to address root causes of biodiversity loss, such as deforestation and climate change.
The Phoenix Species Project is set to begin implementation in early 2025, with the first wave of species recovery plans expected to launch within 12 months.