Alright, folks, gather ’round because we’ve got some wild news that’ll make you do a double take! You know how celebrities are always putting their stamp of approval on everything from perfume to fancy water? Well, it turns out some rad A-listers are now lending their names to wildlife conservation efforts. Yeah, you heard that right! So, grab your popcorn. Coz this story is about to get interesting!

Gisele Bündchen, the queen of the runway and eco-warrior extraordinaire, just got a jaguar named after her. Yep, you heard it! The big, beautiful feline is strutting around the Encontro das Àguas State Park in Brazil like it owns the place. This majestic cat was spotted by photographer Benjamin James, who probably couldn’t believe his luck! Gisele was absolutely stoked,  taking to Instagram:, “The jaguar is a powerful symbol of our biodiversity, and I was happy with the tribute.” I mean, how cool is that? A jaguar with a name that screams supermodel chic!

Now, why the sudden urge to name a jaguar after our favorite model? Well, the Pantanal—one of the most mind-blowing wetlands on the planet—is facing some serious threats from wildfires. And Gisele is here for it. She pointed out that “the survival of the species—and ours—depends on the choices we make today.” So this tribute is a major wake-up call about how we gotta step up for our planet!

Benjamin James is also super excited with all this attention. “The fact that we can use this as a way to reach more people and raise awareness about the conservation of the Pantanal… that’s also a bonus.” And check this out! The Jaguar ID project, which has been keeping tabs on these stunning creatures since 2015, officially cataloged this jaguar. With over 900,000 hectares burned in the Pantanal recently, naming this jaguar after Gisele is like waving a giant flag saying, “Hey, pay attention to this!” It really emphasizes the urgency of conserving our beautiful biodiversity. Even if it means shouting it from the rooftops!

Celebrity names in Wildlife conservation

Now, while we’re vibing on this celeb-naming trend, let’s sprinkle in some fun history. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a famous face attached to a wild animal. Remember 2019? That was the year a baby vervet monkey got named after none other than NFL superstar Tom Brady! Imagine that cute, fuzzy little guy wandering around Malawi with a name like Brady—seriously adorable. Ronit Walther, the hero who rescued that lil’ monkey, was also excited about this. “My husband being a New England Patriots fan… what better name to take than that of the Patriots’ star player, Tom Brady?” Talk about a touchdown for conservation!

It’s so cool how these celebrity names can add some glamour to serious issues like wildlife rehabilitation. Just like Gisele is shining a light on jaguar conservation, Tom Brady’s monkey makes people smile while reminding us that lots of animals need our help too. Ronit shared the journey of baby Tom, saying, “He was cold, wet, and traumatized.” It’s a miracle he’s alive, and naming him after a beloved sports figure just adds to his heartwarming story.

Honestly, these names are a stroke of genius. Gisele herself dropped some wisdom, saying, “We need to act urgently to reverse the damage caused, promoting more sustainable practices and regenerating our ecosystems.” By tying celebrity names to wildlife, conservationists can hook more people into the cause. Who isn’t going to stop and think about a jaguar named Gisele or a monkey named Tom Brady?

Additionally, celebrities like Gisele and Tom spark a convo about the critical need for environmental protection. By using their star power, they’re turning these beautiful creatures into symbols of hope and action. Who knew a supermodel and an NFL legend would be the dynamic duo in the battle for wildlife conservation?