Animal Capitalists: Gorillas and Their Assets

Gorillas with wallets are tackling the tragedy of the commons. Using machine learning and blockchain, a local initiative is testing how a community-driven economy can protect ecosystems.

On the edge of the Central African Virunga Massif, a small farmer faces a dilemma. After years of intensive use, his cassava field is depleted, and harvests are shrinking. Yet it remains his only source of income to feed his family. Adjacent to his field lies an ancient rainforest, untouched and teeming with life. But in a country with no meaningful government oversight and no land registry, there is nothing to stop the farmer: he ventures further into the forest. Soon, he begins clearing it to expand his field and secure his family’s survival.

For the impoverished subsistence farmer struggling to survive, the rainforest seems to hold little value at first glance. Animals are hunted to secure food, and the wood is used as fuel for the stove. The diversity and richness of the forest appear to be in abundance. This logic is not unique to the farmer: as populations grow in the world's poorest regions, the exploitation of local ecosystems accelerates relentlessly, pushing biodiversity to the brink of collapse. Constant pressure wears down the system. Worse still, the farmer faces another dilemma: if he does not exploit the rainforest, someone else will, and its resources will be lost to him and his family. Why shouldn’t he claim them for himself? Economists recognize this as the tragedy of the commons.

Tragedy of the Commons

Deforested forests, overfished seas, overgrazed pastures, poaching, dried-up water sources, and depleted farmland: the tragedy of the commons takes many forms. People exploit shared resources beyond their limits. The dilemma: if an individual does not extract as much as possible, they cannot be certain that someone else won’t. This behavior is rational in the short term but destructive in the long run. In the end, everyone loses. New technologies could help alleviate this dilemma. They offer greater transparency, improved monitoring, and even incentives for more sustainable behavior. (Source: Arthur Simoes/Shutterstock)

Gorillas as Capital

Our story takes us to the Virunga Massif, a place where Dian Fossey made history by studying the mountain gorillas that live there and fighting against poaching—a struggle that ultimately cost her life. The incentive to hunt gorillas is immense: zoos pay high sums for gorilla infants, and in parts of Asia, body parts of these animals fetch premium prices due to their use in occult medical practices. Yet, for a long time, no one was rewarded for preserving them. While local communities hunted the animals, the governments of the tri-border region of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recognized the value of gorillas as a tourist attraction. Safari tourists from around the world pay up to $1,500 per person for the chance to see gorillas in the wild. In 2022 alone, Rwanda earned approximately $82 million from gorilla tourism.

Despite such controversies, poaching remained a problem in the region. For many local communities, biodiversity holds little value. What safari tourists perceive as a fascinating spectacle is, for people on the ground, a daily challenge. Wild animals destroy crops, which are the farmers’ main source of livelihood. Moreover, livestock such as goats and cattle compete directly with conservation efforts. In some cases, such as with lions or tigers, these animals even pose a threat to human life.

National park administrations, often funded by foreign governments and well-financed NGOs, have implemented draconian measures to curb poaching and prevent defensive actions by local populations. These measures sometimes go so far as to evict indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands and deny them access to essential resources. The human rights organization Survival International has, in some cases, even referred to this as a form of "green genocide."

National Parks in Africa Often Clash with Human Rights

In 2023, the French government ceased its funding for the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The reason: severe human rights violations. A report by the Minority Rights Group documented violence by park rangers against the indigenous Batwa people. According to Survival International, horrifying crimes have been committed: the burning of children alive, mass rapes, murders, and torture. Despite these reports, the German government continues to support the park. The Batwa pay the high price for conservation. They are displaced from their ancestral lands and forced to abandon their way of life, which was in harmony with nature. Many end up in urban slums, fall victim to crime, and face bleak futures. (Source: Survival International, 2023)

A Bridge Between Capitalism and Conservation

The governments in Kigali and Kampala, by contrast, have recognized that protecting gorillas is only possible if local communities benefit from tourism revenues. Between five and thirty percent of these revenues are allocated to local populations. However, the per capita amounts remain small, and the distribution within communities is often arbitrary and inequitable.

However, the simple inclusion of local communities does not create a strong incentive for residents to become active stewards of their natural environment or manage it sustainably. Yet, successful models already exist, such as the UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves. What is needed are structures that motivate people on the ground to preserve the biodiversity of their regions. One possible approach could be an economic partnership between park management and local communities. For example, the amount of tourism revenue shared with communities could be tied to the health of local biodiversity. If the population of protected species increases demonstrably, the revenue for communities would also rise. 

The advantage: People on the ground know their communities. They often know who is involved in poaching but are distrustful of authorities and law enforcement, with little incentive to cooperate. Economic incentives could enable them to address rule violations more quickly and effectively than external actors. Additionally, former poachers often prove to be the most skilled rangers. They possess deep knowledge of animal behavior, daily routines, and movement patterns. By integrating this expertise and offering financial incentives, conservation and local development could progress hand in hand.

3 Laikipia

In Rumuruti, Kenya, a drought-stricken cow struggles to stand under the watchful eyes of its Samburu herder. This scene symbolizes the growing conflicts between humans and nature in East Africa. On one side are conservation efforts and safari tourism, alongside ever-expanding livestock herds. On the other are dwindling water resources caused by persistent drought. In search of life-sustaining waterholes and pastures, nomadic tribes like the Pokot, Samburu, and Turkana push deeper into the vast protected lands, often owned by Europeans. These incursions fuel tensions that frequently escalate into violence. One prominent case is that of Kuki Gallmann, the renowned conservationist and author. She has been targeted multiple times. Her luxury safari lodge in Laikipia was burned to the ground, and on another occasion, she suffered a life-threatening abdominal gunshot wound. This raises the pressing question: how can conservation efforts and the economic interests of local communities coexist amidst shrinking resources? (Source: Crisis Group/Nicolas Delaunay, 2022)

Interspecies Money: A Connecting Force

Jonathan Ledgard, a futurist and entrepreneur, identifies a fundamental flaw in the global market system: it fails to assign adequate value to nature. A technology enthusiast who previously revolutionized drone delivery systems in Africa, Ledgard now believes that digital technologies can address this market failure and help resolve the tragedy of the commons. Surprisingly, it is advanced technology that he sees as the key to saving nature and its indigenous stewards.

In his groundbreaking concept, animals are no longer seen merely as resources valued for their body parts. Instead, they become active participants in an economic system where they have previously been invisible. Each gorilla, elephant, and even coral reef or microorganism colony is assigned a digital twin—a virtual representation equipped with a digital wallet. These wallets are credited with monetary amounts, enabling these beings to "trade" with humans and even with one another. The amount in the wallet reflects the cultural and economic value society assigns to the creature. For example, in Hindu culture, the god Ganesha is half-elephant and half-human, giving elephants a significantly higher status than they might hold in Europe.

Of course, animals cannot execute transactions themselves. This is where cutting-edge surveillance technologies come into play: satellites, wildlife cameras, drones, microphones, and sensors gather behavioral data from the animals. Blockchain technology automates transaction verification and securely manages these data streams, free from manipulation and external influence—tasks far beyond the capacity of human labor. Artificial intelligence processes the data, interpreting behavioral patterns to identify preferences and needs. From this analysis, the AI determines which services an animal might require at any given time.

Ledgard illustrates the concept with a herd of giraffes grazing near a remote village. Through an app, residents are notified of the giraffes' presence. The giraffes could then "pay" the villagers through their wallets to maintain waterholes or prioritize their access to water over livestock. They might also pay for protection from poachers or medical assistance. Similarly, gorillas could compensate communities for preserving rainforests rather than converting them into farmland, and wolves could reimburse farmers for livestock losses. In each scenario, local communities earn income by contributing to biodiversity conservation.

Interspecies Money also opens up a new market for data. Locals could earn money from animal wallets by gathering information for the AI: counting animals, recording wildlife sounds, or documenting endangered species. This data would be critical for understanding the needs of animals and managing their wallets accordingly. This innovative concept offers a glimpse into a future where economics, technology, and conservation align, providing a sustainable solution for humans, animals, and the ecosystems they share.

The financial flow of Interspecies Money

The visionary financial flow of Interspecies Money: this is how smart parks of the future could function. Through digital technologies and automated financial systems, future conservation parks could become more efficient and equitable for all. Animals and ecosystems would be directly integrated into the economic system through digital twins and their virtual wallets. Revenues from tourism, donations, or CO₂ certificates could fund not only conservation efforts but also involve local communities. For example, residents could participate directly in biodiversity conservation by removing poaching traps or maintaining waterholes. This approach could make conservation funding more transparent and ensure the long-term preservation of biodiversity. Animals would "pay" for such services through their wallets, thereby mitigating social conflicts and creating new income opportunities for impoverished rural communities. (Source: jaspersponk.nl)

Financing a interspecies ecosystem

To fund his project, Jonathan Ledgard proposes establishing a Bank for Other Species (BoS). Similar to the World Bank, which focuses on poverty reduction, this institution would be dedicated exclusively to the protection of biodiversity. With the global rise of digital currencies, the idea of animal wallets is technically feasible. But one key question remains: Who will ultimately fund these animal wallets?

Governments worldwide have committed to protecting biodiversity. However, the largest funds flow predominantly to wealthy industrialized nations. In contrast, the most biodiverse regions are found in the global South, often in impoverished areas near the equator. This makes it essential to mobilize additional resources. Ledgard envisions contributions from multilateral organizations, private donors and philanthropists, tourists, and local communities, who serve as direct stewards of biodiversity.

Despite ambitious goals, the reality remains sobering. Biodiversity conservation depends on humans opening their wallets. Yet, as with zoos, Interspecies Money is likely to see the most charismatic species receiving the largest share of funds. Species with less "cuteness appeal" will struggle. Bad news for the blobfish, for example, which has attracted attention only from niche groups like the Ugly Animal Preservation Society. But will such efforts suffice to preserve endangered ecosystems as a whole? Today, the world spends more money annually on pet food than on protecting wild species.

No Money fort he Blobfish??

In 2024, the blobfish was voted the world's ugliest animal. Creatures like this typically attract little funding for their conservation. However, with Interspecies Money, even the blobfish could receive a fair share for its contributions to maintaining its ecosystem.

A Stock Exchange Within the Animal Kingdom

Gorillas are not just impressive creatures; they are also key players in their ecosystems. In the Virungas, they significantly contribute to the resilience of their environment. By spreading the seeds of the fruits they consume, they promote the growth of new plants and the regeneration of the forest as a whole. This forest provides timber, food, and other resources that benefit local communities. Their movements stabilize the forest soil, preventing erosion—a crucial contribution to avoiding crop losses.

Ecosystems worldwide provide similar benefits: they offer shade, shelter, protection from storm surges, and store water. Bats and birds eat pests, while vultures dispose of carcasses before pathogens can spread diseases. Reptiles supply chemical compounds used by the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. For instance, snake venom forms the basis of pain-relieving medications. Engineers learn from nature, whether it’s the flocking behavior of birds or the aerodynamic properties of their wings. Agricultural companies tap into the genetic traits of wild plants to make their crops more resistant to climate change. Nature functions as a living archive of evolution—and capitalism continues to draw on its resources.

J.M. Ledgard, Creator of Interspecies Money

J.M. Ledgard has had an impressive and diverse career. As a journalist, he reported for The Economist from Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Africa. While he often worked as a war correspondent, he also covered economic topics. In addition to his journalism, he authored several novels, such as Giraffe and Submergence, which were later adapted into films. Recently, he has focused on introducing advanced technologies to Africa. As the founder of the drone company Zipline, he established a nationwide drone network in Rwanda, which is now considered a global standard. This system revolutionized supply chains in the healthcare sector, delivering life-saving medicines to remote areas. With his Interspecies Money concept, Ledgard pursues yet another visionary idea: a financial system that integrates animals and ecosystems directly into the global economy, combining technology, conservation, and innovation. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Yet, animals and plants are neither appreciated nor compensated for their contributions. Ledgard estimates the economic value of pollination by insects and birds to be $400 billion per year. His Interspecies Money concept would enable animals to monetize these contributions. Animals that actively support environmental conservation would receive payments into their digital wallets. Even the most inconspicuous life forms—from trees to microorganisms—could be incorporated into the economic system.

Even creatures like mosquitoes, often regarded as nuisances, would have value in this system. They serve as a food source for young fish, which would, in turn, be compensated for their role in the food chain. This framework recognizes the economic worth of all living beings in the ecosystem, making nature conservation an integral part of the global economy.

A Step Closer to Utopia

In August 2024, Jonathan Ledgard implemented his ideas in a groundbreaking pilot project. A family of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park received their own digital identities and wallets. Using high-precision cameras, the gorillas' movements through the rainforest are tracked. A facial recognition program learned to distinguish between 41 individuals, while machine learning-based algorithms analyze behavioral patterns and identify their needs in real time. The app Tehanun acts as an intermediary between the gorillas and the local community. Much like platforms such as Uber or Airbnb, local residents can take on tasks and are paid directly from the gorilla wallets. Initial transactions have already taken place: the gorillas paid the villagers to remove poaching traps.

This approach creates a local gig economy, even in some of the most remote regions of the world. Countries with high biodiversity are often among the poorest and suffer from severe youth unemployment. In such regions, subsistence farming and expanding agricultural land are often the only options for survival. Young people with limited economic opportunities can now earn money through such initiatives. Interspecies Money has the potential to reverse harmful local trends. After all, in the Anthropocene—the age of humanity—the expansion of agricultural land is the leading cause of global biodiversity loss. This system could establish a regular financial flow from wealthy industrialized nations to the biodiversity-rich regions of the Global South. Local communities would benefit by no longer merely tolerating animals and ecosystems but actively protecting and caring for them.

We are already living through the sixth mass extinction in Earth's history. Since 1970, the number of wild animals has halved. The biomass of all chickens now exceeds that of all wild birds, while the combined mass of humans and their livestock is 25 times greater than that of wild animals. Domesticated animals have replaced the wilderness. New technologies can do more than bridge the gap in understanding between humans and animals; they might even help resolve the age-old dilemma of the tragedy of the commons.