Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio pledged to donate the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) $1 million for tiger conservation efforts, WWF said in a statement on Tuesday.
"DiCaprio today committed $1 million to World Wildlife Fund for urgent tiger conservation efforts through his Fund at the California Community Foundation," the statement, posted on the organization's website, reads.
DiCaprio, who shot to fame for his role in the 1997 blockbuster Titanic, is known for his participation in tiger conservation programs. Earlier this year, he joined WWF in its effort to raise $20 million through the Save Tigers Now campaign. As a WWF board member he recently visited tiger parks in Nepal and Bhutan.
He was on his way to Russia to attend the International Tiger Conservation Forum when his plane was forced to land in New York's JFK airport late on Sunday due to an engine malfunction.
"Illegal poaching of tigers for their parts and massive habitat loss due to palm oil, timber and paper production are driving this species to extinction," the WWF statement quoted DiCaprio as saying. "If we don't take action now, one of the most iconic animals on our planet could be gone in just a few decades."
"It's been a pleasure to work with Leo. He cares deeply about the fate of tigers and the human communities with whom they share their habitat. He is committing his time, his wealth, and most importantly, his talent to this cause," said Carter Roberts, president and CEO of World Wildlife Fund.
The World Wildlife Fund plans to spend $85 million in the next five years on programs aimed at restoring the global tiger population.
According to the WWF, there are about 3,200 tigers left in the wild in 13 countries worldwide.
A century ago, there were some 100,000 wild tigers across Asia and the Russian Far East. The wild cats have been steadily pushed to the verge of extinction by poaching, illegal trade, and habitat loss.
The International Tiger Conservation Forum, hosted by the northwestern Russian city of St. Petersburg running November 21-24, is discussing a plan to double the animal's population in 12 years, which will require up to $350 million from the international community.
MOSCOW, November 23 (RIA Novosti)
