KATHMANDU, July 14: Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio was on a secret visit to Nepal after joining hands with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to launch an ambitious global campaign to double the world´s tiger population.
The ´Titanic´ star reportedly visited the Bardiya National Park, one of the four tiger reserves in the country. The 36-year-old has combined forces with WWF to raise $20 million toward the aim of doubling the world tiger population in the wild, which is just 3,200 at present.
DiCaprio is traveling to Asia with WWF experts to see the threats tigers face first-hand, said a statement released by the international conservation organization.
Nepal has altogether 121 adult tigers in its four tiger reserves -- Parsa, Chitwan, Bardiya and Shuklaphanta. The actor will participate in anti-poaching patrols, meet with park guards on the frontlines of protecting tigers from international traffickers, and explore the best ways to protect the big cats.
DiCaprio will soon start a fund raising initiative under the ´Save the Tiger´ campaign. The Hollywood star is active in many conservation efforts and set up his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 to focus on climate change, water, disaster relief and preservation of the planet´s biodiversity.
"More than 90 percent of historic tiger habitat no longer has tigers. Tigers are endangered and critical to some of the world´s most important ecosystems," said DiCaprio in a press statement.
"Key conservation efforts can save the tiger species from extinction, protect some of the planet´s last wild habitats and help sustain the local communities surrounding them," added the star of Academy Award winning films like ´The Aviator´ and ´The Departed´.
"Give tigers enough space and protection and they´ll recover. Public support means everything and changing laws and ending demand for tiger parts means we need to tell their story, in places like the US, India and China," said WWF CEO Carter Roberts.
Source: http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=21042
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