14 DAY TRIAL // Yesterday, Leonardo DiCaprio announced that his foundation was to offer $3 million (€2.23 million) to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The money would serve to protect tigers living in Nepal, the actor detailed.
The money given to the WWF was raised by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation back in May at the 11th Hour Auction. As reported at that time, the event raised over $38.8 million (€28.86 million) for conservation.
The grant offered to the WWF represents the first funds from the charity auction that the actor's Foundation has thus far awarded.
In a press release, the green group details that the money will be used to safeguard patches of land inhabited by tigers, restore critical corridors that the felines need to move through their territory, monitor local tiger populations and strengthen anti-poaching patrol.
The gold is to double Nepal's current tiger population by the year 2022, which happens to be the next Chinese Year of the Tiger.
Leonardo DiCaprio, who is a WWF Board member, explained his decision to offer this grant to the organization as follows: “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. I am grateful for the amazing support our Foundation has received – especially to our partners at Christie’s who helped create an historic night for conservation fundraising with the 11th Hour Auction,” he added.
This is not the first time when the WWF and Leonardo DiCaprio join hands to protect the world's remaining tiger population. Thus, back in 2010, the organization and the actor launched a global campaign dubbed Save Tigers Now. At that time, Leonardo DiCaprio donated $1 million to the WWF.