Actor and Activist Leonardo DiCaprio has joined forces with WWF-US to
save a species on the brink of extinction. With as few as 3,200 tigers
left in the wild, WWF and DiCaprio today kicked off Save Tigers Now. The
campaign begins with an expedition to remote tiger habitats in Asia to
document the wild tigers first hand and learn what needs to be done to
save them from extinction.
Tiger populations are shrinking fast as the species is threatened by
habitat loss and illegal poaching; their skins, bones and other body
parts are used in many cultures as medicines, talismans, status symbols
and clothing. More than 90 percent of historic tiger habitat no longer
has tigers. Three tiger sub-species have gone extinct since the 1940s
and a fourth one, the South China tiger, has not been seen in the wild
for 25 years. But tigers can thrive if they have strong protection from
poaching and habitat loss and enough prey to eat.
After DiCaprio was briefed by the WWF conservationists about the plight
of these majestic animals, they decided to partner on a campaign to help
raise awareness about the threats to tigers and raise funds for tiger
preservation efforts. In honor of the Chinese Year of the Tiger, an
ambitious goal of $20 million has been set with the vision of doubling
the tiger population by 2022, the next Year of the Tiger.
“Tigers are endangered and critical to some of the world’s most
important ecosystems,” said Leonardo DiCaprio. “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. By protecting this iconic species, we can save so much
more.”
DiCaprio is traveling to Asia with WWF experts to see the threats tigers
face first-hand. He 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 these
amazing creatures. The Save Tigers Now (www.SaveTigersNow.org) website
will allow supporters to follow DiCaprio’s journey and participate in
the effort to save tigers.
“Give tigers enough space and protection and they’ll recover,” said WWF
CEO Carter Roberts. “But public support means everything and changing
laws and ending demand for tiger parts means we need to tell their story
– in places like the U.S., India and China. Which is why this
partnership with Leonardo is so important, he can reach the public, tell
this story to our children and engage leaders around the world – to
save tigers now.”
WWF is working on the ground across Asia to protect tigers. As part of
the Year of the Tiger 2010, WWF has set a bold but achievable goal of
doubling the number of tigers in the wild within 12 years, when the next
Year of the Tiger is celebrated.
Other celebrity support for Year of the Tiger
Other celebrities who have lent support to WWF’s Year of the Tiger work
include from Russia: singer Janna Friske, actress Anna Mikhalkova, and
television host Nikolay Drozdov.
Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova and Miss Nepal 2009 Zenisha Moktan
also have participated in Year of the Tiger activities this year.
From Indonesia, musican and actor Nugie, model Davina, and music duo
Endah N Rhesa, and Dutch actress Carice van Houten are supporting tiger
conservation this year.
WWF Malaysia is running a Year of the Tiger ‘Tiger Ambassador’ contest
with five local celebrities vying for the title. The five are actress
and TV host Aishah Sinclair, radio deejay Jeremy Teo of RedFM, singer
Mooky of the punk rock band One Buck Short, musician and television host
Rina Omar, and actress and television host Sazzy Falak.
Via: WWF
Comments
Leave a comment