The Indianapolis Zoo‘s bold new conservation initiative will award $1 million to a single organization working to save a species from extinction. The Saving Species Challenge has attracted the interest of conservationists representing 52 species in 46 nations. Each applicant has developed a detailed plan that, if funded, will have a measurable and sustainable impact on the survival of a threatened animal species.
The Indianapolis Zoo launched the Saving Species Challenge in April with the goal of funding a plan with the potential to improve the status of species that is currently designated as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Extinct in the Wild) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
The announcement of the 52 applicants (download list on spreadsheet) comes on the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act in the United States, which has given legal protection to hundreds of species. “We focus on our mission of protecting nature and inspiring people to care for our world. The Saving Species Challenge is a solid investment in protecting and preserving the diversity of life on Earth,” said Dr. Robert Shumaker, President & CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo.
Conservationists at the Global Center for Species Survival reviewed nearly 200 pre-applications before inviting 79 organizations to submit full applications. The decision of who will be awarded the $1 million Saving Species Challenge grant rests in the hands of a jury of international animal conservationists.
“We were inspired by the quality of the applications we received. I wish we had $52 million dollars to fund every single one of these conservation action plans,” said Bill Street, Indianapolis Zoo Senior Vice President and Director of the Global Center for Species Survival.
Challenge applications not only represent strong geographic diversity, but also biological diversity. Applicants submitted plans to improve the conservation status of 7 amphibians, 17 birds, 3 fish, 3 insects, 12 mammals and 10 reptiles.
The Saving Species Challenge is modeled after a concept developed by experts at the IUCN Species Survival Commission. “Reverse the Red” aims to downlist species that are assessed on the IUCN Red List. For example, if a species is currently listed as Extinct in the Wild, downlisting it to Critically Endangered would signify an improvement in the species’ chance of survival.
The winner of the Indianapolis Zoo Saving Species Challenge will have five years to implement their program and show progress. The Zoo will announce the winner in the spring of 2024.
