Leonard DiCaprio Foundation Gives $3 Million to Tiger Conservation in Nepal

The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation has given a $3 million grant to the World Wildlife Fund to support an initiative to double the wild tiger population in Nepal.

The initiative aims to expand the tiger population in Nepal's Terai Arc Landscape -- a 9,000 square mile area that includes protected habitat for tigers, elephants and rhino -- by 2022, which is the next Year of the Tiger in the Chinese zodiac.

Justin Winters, executive director of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, said:

"Protecting a top predator like the tiger helps keep forests and grasslands intact, and ensures that other species like rhinos and elephants can thrive. The most impressive part of this project -- and the key to its success so far -- is the true collaboration between WWF, the Nepal government and the local communities. Finding solutions that protect tigers and benefit local people is the only way to ensure long term success."

The tigers, elephants and rhinos in Terai Arc have fallen victim to the illegal wildlife trade, the WWF said in a statement, adding that the grant will allow park rangers to use more sophisticated monitoring tools to curb poaching.

"Basic park infrastructure, such as guard posts, will also be expanded and corridors between parks will be strengthened to give key species the freedom to roam and help grow new tiger populations across the Terai," the WWF said.

DiCaprio, who is a WWF board member, has long supported wildlife conservation efforts. The WWF credits his previous support with helping expand the tiger population in Terai's Bardia National Park from 18 tigers to 50.

In May, a charity auction created by DiCaprio raised nearly $40 million for conservation in a single night.

"Time is running out for the world's remaining 3,200 tigers, largely the result of habitat destruction and escalating illegal poaching," DiCaprio said in a statement. "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."