The Colossal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of de-extinction pioneer Colossal Biosciences known for successfully bringing back dire wolves, has announced the launch of its groundbreaking Species Reintroduction Fund, marking a significant milestone in global conservation efforts. This first-of-its-kind initiative will dedicate at least $250,000 annually to support comprehensive reintroduction programs for threatened species across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
A Global Conservation Partnership
The Species Reintroduction Fund represents a collaboration between the Colossal Foundation and Re:wild, a prominent conservation organization co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio. This partnership brings together cutting-edge de-extinction technology with established conservation expertise to address what scientists describe as an accelerating biodiversity crisis.
“The Colossal Foundation is committed to making extinction a thing of the past. The best way to do that is to stop extinction before it starts,” said Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences. The fund’s comprehensive approach covers every phase of species reintroduction, from initial planning and genetic assessment to crucial post-release monitoring.
The initiative stands alone as the only fund in the world entirely dedicated to supporting wildlife reintroduction and rewilding projects on a global scale. This singular focus enables streamlined partnerships and maximizes conservation impact by concentrating resources where they can make the greatest difference.
Six Species Get a Second Chance
The fund’s inaugural cohort includes six critically endangered species facing severe threats from habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, and disease:
- Bolson tortoise (Critically Endangered) in New Mexico, USA
- Black lion tamarin (Endangered) in Brazil
- California condor (Critically Endangered) in Idaho, USA
- Golden skiffia (Extinct in the Wild) in Mexico
- Vietnam pheasant (Critically Endangered) in Vietnam
- Wampukrum harlequin toad (Critically Endangered) in Ecuador
Each species plays a unique and vital role in its respective ecosystem, making their recovery essential for maintaining ecological balance. The fund will support projects for up to 12 months at a time, with grant requests up to $50,000 per year being considered.
Technology Meets Conservation
Colossal’s approach represents a paradigm shift in conservation methodology. The company’s recent success in bringing back dire wolves through advanced gene editing and cloning techniques demonstrates the potential for de-extinction technologies to support existing conservation efforts. “This is an opportunity to scale up the impact that I have the potential to make,” said Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s chief science officer, highlighting the transformative potential of these scientific advances.
The fund’s objectives extend beyond simple species recovery. Goals include strengthening target species populations through genetic diversity enhancement, restoring critical habitats, supporting human communities dependent on healthy ecosystems, and establishing long-term conservation conditions that ensure sustained success.
Building a Global Conservation Network
Within the next two years, the Species Reintroduction Fund plans to collaborate with hundreds of conservationists across dozens of countries. This expansive network will work collectively to reverse the species extinction crisis and restore balance to ecosystems worldwide.
“Nature is in crisis due to human activities, and ecosystems around the world need our support to remain vibrant and resilient,” said Wes Sechrest, Re:wild’s chief scientist and CEO. Species reintroductions represent critical interventions that can return functional roles to natural environments, benefiting species, habitats, and human communities alike.
The Colossal Foundation is now accepting applications for its second cohort of grants, seeking proposals from nonprofit, government, and academic organizations worldwide with innovative strategies for threatened species reintroduction and habitat restoration. This initiative represents more than funding—it embodies a new model for combining advanced biotechnology with traditional conservation methods to address one of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
As the extinction crisis accelerates, initiatives like the Species Reintroduction Fund offer tangible hope that science and conservation can work together to preserve Earth’s biodiversity for future generations.
