Bezos and Dicaprio Invest $200M to Protect Endangered Species

WHO:

Fast Company - Jeff Bezos and Leonardo DiCaprio are leading the initiative.

ABC News - DiCaprio's Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund are the organizations involved.

Fast Company - Wes Sechrest is the co-founder of Re:wild and serves as its CEO.

Fast Company - Tiana Andriamanana is the executive director of Association Fanamby, one of the groups receiving a grant.

WHAT:

Variety - The Phoenix Species Project will provide support to recover 100 species facing imminent extinction, spanning mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, invertebrates, and plants from 30 countries in habitats ranging from oceans to volcanic plains.

Fast Company - The initiative commits $200 million to revive 100 of Earth's most threatened species.

ABC News - This project is called the Phoenix Species Project and is described as the largest single fund in history dedicated to recovering critically endangered species.

ABC News - The initiative aims to sustain various endangered species, including lemurs, salamanders, pangolins, pigs, and echidnas.

WHERE:

Fast Company - The golden-crowned sifaka is from Madagascar.

ABC News - The Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander is found in a small canyon in North Carolina.

ABC News - The Visayan warty pig is endemic to islands in the Philippines.

ABC News - Mexico's Cozumel harvest mouse lives only on an island off the Yucatán Peninsula.

ABC News - The pink land iguana is found only on Wolf Volcano in the Galápagos Islands.

ABC News - The Malayan pangolin is native to Southeast Asia.

ABC News - Tanzania's pancake tortoise is named for its flat, flexible shell.

ABC News - The starry night harlequin toad is found only in the mountains of Colombia.

ABC News - Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna is from New Guinea.

WHY:

Fast Company - DiCaprio has for years been developing the idea of a major concerted effort to help species whose habitats and future existence are threatened by climate change.

Fast Company - The initiative aims to help species whose habitats and future existence are threatened by climate change.

ABC News - The project seeks to reverse the decline of vulnerable species through collaboration with local governments, environmental groups, and Indigenous people.

HOW:

Fast Company - The project was initiated after a series of conversations between DiCaprio, Bezos, and various stakeholders regarding the protection of endangered species.

Fast Company - The initiative was developed after a series of conversations between DiCaprio, Bezos, and various stakeholders regarding the protection of endangered species.

AP News - The project aims to provide long-term sustenance to successful but fleeting smaller efforts.

Fast Company - The project was initiated after a series of conversations between DiCaprio, Bezos, and various stakeholders regarding the protection of endangered species.

ABC News - The project aims to provide long-term sustenance to successful but fleeting smaller efforts.

(UPDATED August 5, 2026 05:05 UTC)

The Phoenix Species Project is set to support the recovery of 100 species on the brink of extinction, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, invertebrates, and plants from 30 countries, across diverse habitats like oceans and volcanic plains. This initiative has been championed by Leonardo DiCaprio, who has long advocated for a concerted effort to protect species threatened by climate change. The project emerged from discussions among DiCaprio, Jeff Bezos, and various stakeholders focused on the urgent need for endangered species protection.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 21:12 UTC)

The Phoenix Species Project is set to support the recovery of 100 species that are facing imminent extinction, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, invertebrates, and plants. This ambitious initiative will span 30 countries and cover a diverse range of habitats, from oceans to volcanic plains. With this project, there is hope for the preservation of these vital species and their ecosystems.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 17:40 UTC)

A new initiative focused on the protection of endangered species has been developed following discussions between Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeff Bezos, and various stakeholders. This project aims to provide long-term support to smaller conservation efforts that have seen success but often lack sustainability. By fostering these initiatives, the goal is to create a more lasting impact on wildlife preservation.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 15:32 UTC)

Jeff Bezos and Leonardo DiCaprio are leading a groundbreaking initiative called the Phoenix Species Project, which commits $200 million to revive 100 of Earth's most threatened species, making it the largest single fund in history dedicated to recovering critically endangered species. This project will focus on sustaining various endangered species, including lemurs, pangolins, and the golden-crowned sifaka from Madagascar, while collaborating with local governments and Indigenous communities to reverse the decline of these vulnerable populations. The initiative was born from discussions between DiCaprio, Bezos, and stakeholders about the urgent need to protect species whose habitats are threatened by climate change.