Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has vowed to help restore Galápagos Islands, pledging USD 43 million for the same. This initiative is aimed at reversing the damage caused by climate change and tourism in the Ecuadorian land. By Bayar Jain
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Taking to Instagram to announce the novel initiative, Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has pledged to support Parque Nacional Galápagos and non-governmental organisation (NGO) Island Conservation in their commitment to help rewild the Galápagos islands. Pledging USD 43 million for the same, with this DiCaprio—in partnership with his newly-launched conservation charity, Re:Wild—will facilitate the return of the pink iguana, the Floreana giant tortoise and the floreana mockingbird to their wild homes.
Moreover, to further deepen the message of conservation, the American environmentalist also announced that his social media accounts would be taken over by wildlife veterinarian Paula Castaño to update followers about the efforts.
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Talking about the islands, the Oscar-winning actor mentions how he met Castaño and many other “environmental heroes” while working in Ecuador. Considering the South American nation as one of the “most irreplaceable places on the planet,” DiCaprio feels that failure to act upon and reverse the signs of climate change could lead to complete destruction in the next few decades.
Notably, Re:wild caters to this very thought process. Working towards amplifying and scaling local solutions led by indigenous communities, NGOs, companies, and government agencies, this wildlife conservation organisation aims to increase positive impacts around the world via rewilding efforts.
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Related: See How This Famed Arch In The Galapagos Looks Now After Collapsing Into The Ocean
