Paul Rosolie: Amazon Jungle, Uncontacted Tribes, Anacondas, and Ayahuasca | Lex Fridman Podcast #369

Paul Rosley founded Jungle Keepers to protect 50,000 acres of Amazonian habitat from the toxic mercury released by unregulated gold mining, having shifted his focus after surviving life-threatening infections and encountering uncontacted tribes. Following a controversial production by Discovery Channel that damaged his reputation, Rosley revitalized his organization through viral advocacy and private funding, successfully converting former miners into ecotourism workers. His work prioritizes tangible conservation over abstract climate models, leveraging unique wildlife encounters to drive funding for ranger programs and halt deforestation.