Amazon Australia has unveiled a three-year A$2.5 million conservation initiative to protect critically endangered native species from extinction. The tech giant announced the funding through its Right Now Climate Fund on Monday.
Historic Investment Targets Nine Species
The initiative represents Amazon’s largest conservation commitment in Australia. The company will partner with Odonata Foundation to implement their pioneering “500-in-5” species recovery model. This innovative approach aims to maintain at least 500 individuals of each species across five different locations.
Janet Menzies, Amazon Australia Country Manager, emphasised the global potential of this project. “By helping rebuild healthy populations of threatened species, we’re investing in the future of Australia’s unique wildlife,” Menzies stated. She highlighted how the project combines genetic research with climate data to maximise survival chances.
Revolutionary Conservation Model
Odonata Foundation developed the 500-in-5 model to address Australia’s alarming extinction rate. The model serves dual purposes: maintaining genetic resilience through population size while providing redundancy against climate disasters. Multiple sites ensure species survival if one location faces fire, flood, or drought.
Nigel Sharp, Odonata Foundation’s Founder and Chair, stressed the urgency of action. “Australia has one of the world’s highest rates of species extinction,” Sharp explained. He described their recovery model as “a world-first in species conservation.”
The innovative 500-in-5 species recovery model explained
Key Species Protection Programme
The funding will directly support several critically endangered species. Primary beneficiaries include the eastern quoll, eastern barred bandicoot, and southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby. Each species plays crucial ecological roles in Australian ecosystems.
The eastern barred bandicoot exemplifies conservation success stories. The species faced extinction in mainland Australia with fewer than 150 individuals in 1989. Odonata’s sanctuaries now protect approximately 80% of the mainland population.
Southern brush-tailed rock-wallabies represent another conservation priority. Only 50 individuals survive in the wild, while Odonata’s facilities house over 520 animals. These agile marsupials shape vegetation dynamics within rocky habitats.
Australia’s critically endangered species conservation statistics
Expansion of Mt Rothwell Operations
Amazon’s investment will expand conservation programmes at Mt Rothwell Sanctuary. Located 50 kilometres from Melbourne, the facility serves as Victoria’s second-largest predator-free ecosystem. The 473-hectare sanctuary provides protected habitat for over 20 native species.
Mt Rothwell has demonstrated remarkable conservation achievements. The facility successfully reintroduced more than 1,000 southern brown bandicoots following habitat restoration. Eastern quolls have been re-established in wild environments after decades of mainland absence.
Mt Rothwell Sanctuary conservation achievements and facility overview
Comprehensive Conservation Activities
The three-year programme encompasses multiple conservation strategies. Breeding programmes will boost population numbers across target species. Maintenance of wildlife sanctuaries ensures continued habitat protection. Animal movement between sites maintains genetic diversity.
Educational initiatives form another programme component. Public awareness tours will highlight endangered species conservation needs. These activities connect communities with conservation efforts while generating ongoing support.
Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund global conservation timeline and impact
Ecological Benefits Beyond Species Recovery
Target species deliver significant environmental benefits. Eastern barred bandicoots naturally process three tonnes of soil annually. This activity spreads seeds while improving landscape resistance to floods and droughts. Such ecosystem services demonstrate conservation’s broader environmental impact.
Bush stone-curlews contribute to biodiversity through their ground-dwelling nocturnal behaviour. Once widespread across Australia, these birds now face critical endangerment in Victoria. Their haunting calls historically echoed throughout Australian landscapes.
Global Climate Fund Initiative
This project marks Amazon’s first Australian investment through the Right Now Climate Fund. The US$100 million initiative supports climate resilience and nature conservation worldwide. Since 2019, Amazon has distributed US$67.4 million across 20 projects in 15 countries.
The Right Now Climate Fund emphasises nature-based solutions. Projects focus on carbon storage through forest, wetland, and grassland management. These initiatives provide additional benefits including biodiversity conservation and flood risk reduction.
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Recent Conservation Milestones
Odonata celebrated significant achievements in August 2025. Six critically endangered southern brush-tailed rock-wallabies were successfully relocated by aircraft. The animals established a new colony in the Australian Capital Territory, expanding the species’ geographic distribution.
The eastern barred bandicoot’s conservation status improved dramatically in recent years. Victoria’s government reclassified the species from “extinct in the wild” to “endangered” in 2021. This upgrade represented the first such reclassification for an Australian mammal species.
Scientific Research Integration
The programme incorporates cutting-edge genetic research. Odonata collaborates with universities and research institutions to optimise conservation outcomes. Genetic profiling assists with population management across multiple sanctuary sites.
Research partnerships include the University of Melbourne and Monash University. Projects focus on genetic rescue programmes for brush-tailed rock-wallabies and eastern barred bandicoots. Population density surveys provide vital data for species recovery planning.
Future Conservation Scaling
Amazon and Odonata designed the programme for global application. The 500-in-5 model can potentially assist endangered species conservation worldwide. Climate change increases extreme weather frequency, making multi-site approaches increasingly critical.
The partnership demonstrates corporate conservation leadership in Australia. Through meaningful investment in proven conservation models, Amazon contributes to biodiversity preservation for future generations.
