Project backed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos aims to save 100 critically endangered species

An ambitious project, funded by billionaires Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos, aims to rescue 100 critically endangered species worldwide. The Phoenix Species Project, a collaboration between Bezos's Earth Fund and Re:wild, will invest $200 million to support recovery efforts for endangered flora and fauna facing extinction. This initiative brings together over 100 partners, including conservationists, governments, and Indigenous groups.

Species targeted for conservation include reptiles, birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and plants, with some already extinct in the wild, such as the Hawaiian Crow and Guam Kingfisher. DiCaprio's wife, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, emphasized the importance of fostering a connection between children and wildlife to prevent future extinctions.

The project arrives at a time of political uncertainty, as the U.S. government rolls back protections for endangered species. Currently, 1,515 animals are listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, while over 4,000 are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.