Leonardo DiCaprio Makes Big Donation For Tiger Conservation
Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCapro has donated $3 million to the WWF through his foundation. The money is meant to help Nepal achieve a 100 per cent increase in its tiger population by 2022 which is officially the next year of the tiger.
The money will be used for improving anti poaching efforts that will protect areas where tigers are known to breed. Funds will also be used to restore some important corridors for tiger expansions and continuing the monitoring of the tiger population in the Terai Arc region of Nepal.
Mr. DiCaprio has donated money in the past with much success, the number of tigers in the Terai’s Bardia National Park has increased from roughly 18 to 50 tigers today.
Time is Running Out
The grant comes from money raised by the Christie’s 11th Hour Charity Auction held early this year. The event was created by Mr. DiCaprio and raised a whopping $38.8 million of funds to be used for conservation in a single evening.
“Time is running out for the world’s remaining 3,200 tigers, largely the result of habitat destruction and escalating illegal poaching. WWF, the government of Nepal and local communities are on the front lines of this battle and I am hopeful this grant will help them exceed the goal of doubling the number of these noble creatures in the wild.” said Mr. DiCaprio,
Carter Roberts who runs the WWF in the United States lauded Mr. DiCaprio’s foundation saying it aimed at delivering real conservation results on the ground and helped local communities to feel empowered.
“The numbers speak for themselves and we are grateful for our partnership.” Mr. Roberts said
Nepal is on track to achieve the 2010 Global Tiger Summit goal of doubling its wild tiger population by 2022 and would be the first country to hit its target.
The money donated will be used to fund park rangers in their intelligence gathering and monitoring of the tiger population in conjunction with community policing to help combat poaching. Basic infrastructure will be added such as guard posts. Corridors between the different parks will be improved which should give a number of species more freedom to roam which will aid the tiger population in those regions.
The WWF and its partners will used some of the money raised to allow local communities to take advantage of the conservation efforts by develop income generating activities such as eco tourism, handicraft and organic vegetable production.
