Why in the News
The Phoenix Species Project, led by Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund with the IUCN Species Survival Commission, has launched a $200 million global initiative to recover 100 of the world’s most threatened species.
What is the Phoenix Species Project?
- Target: 100 species classified as Critically Endangered (CR) or Extinct in the Wild (EW) on the IUCN Red List.
- Geographical spread: 30 countries.
- Species covered: Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates and plants.
- Funding: $200 million
- $100 million from Bezos Earth Fund
- $100 million from Re:wild and supporting foundations.
- Approach: Long-term, locally led species recovery rather than short-term conservation grants.
Important species under the project
- Bowmouth guitarfish: Threatened by the shark-fin trade; found in shallow waters from South Africa to Japan and Australia.
- Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander: Restricted to a small canyon in North Carolina.
- Charco Azul pupfish: Extinct in the wild; freshwater habitat was lost due to drought and water extraction.
- Night parrot: Rare, nocturnal ground-dwelling bird of Australia’s arid regions.