Escape from Extinction Rewilding

It is currently estimated that 1 million species are at risk of becoming extinct, with more than half of all species becoming extinct by 2050 — a not-so-distant future and a risk that will impact current and future generations. But rewilding has emerged as a beacon of hope, already successfully increasing populations of threatened animals and their ecosystems, worldwide.

Rewilding is a transformative conservation strategy that prioritizes the restoration of natural ecosystems by reintroducing native species — both plant and animal — particularly apex predators and keystone species. This innovative approach restores ecological balance and enhances biodiversity, while generating farther-reaching impacts, such as strengthening our local and global food systems, mitigating climate change, and offering significant socio-economic benefits to communities. Escape from Extinction Rewilding is a powerful and timely documentary that delves into this critical conservation practice.

Narrated by Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, the film follows tireless conservation efforts of leading organizations implementing rewilding practices across a diverse array of species in equally diverse environments. Through compelling storytelling and breathtaking cinematography, the documentary showcases the tangible successes and ongoing challenges in the field of rewilding. It highlights how humanity, when armed with knowledge and compassion, can halt the decline of countless animal species and restore the environments we call home.

“This documentary not only brings the importance of rewilding to the forefront but also emphasizes that you can’t protect what you don’t love, and you can’t love what you don’t know,” shared Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane Society and the film’s executive producer. “At American Humane, we are profoundly thankful to Meryl for lending her voice to this critical story of survival, inspiring countless others to become advocates for animal welfare.