How much does it cost to save a species from extinction? Costs and rewards of conserving the Lear’s macaw

Although the limited resources available to save species from extinction necessitate the optimization of conservation actions, little is known about their costs and effectiveness. We developed a costs-rewards framework that integrates information on which sectors of society contribute to funding conservation, how much is contributed, how funds are distributed among conservation targets, and how these investments drive not only conservation rewards but also the economic and ecosystem services that benefit society. We applied this framework to the Lear’s macaw (Anodorhynchus leari), a species discovered in the wild in 1978 with only 60 individuals. Funds invested over the last 25 years reached US$ 3.66 million. The contribution of governments, NGOs and private funders varied over time, as did the funding targets. Funds were proportionally invested to mitigate the main causes of mortality, while no funds were devoted to protecting foraging habitats. Conservation rewards were satisfactory, ...