March 4, 2005—The right to name a newly discovered monkey species (pictured) went for U.S. $650,000 yesterday in an online charity auction, with all proceeds destined for the Bolivian park where the species was found. (Related photo: "Name That Monkey [For a Price].) The anonymous winner, who has not yet announced the species's name, outbid TV star Ellen DeGeneres. The talk show host nevertheless raised thousands more dollars for the park by auctioning some of her clothing and shoes.

"The Internet just became a safety net for this monkey and Madidi National Park," Wildlife Conservation Society President Steven Sanderson said in a statement. Madidi—where the one-foot-tall (30-centimeter-tall), two-pound (one-kilogram) species was discovered—is home to more plant and animal species than any other South American preserve. (See more animal photos from the park.) Threats facing the park include "illegal settlements and unsustainable resource extraction," according to the society.

—Ted Chamberlain

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