Nepal doubles the number of tigers thanks to the Leonardo Di Caprio Foundation
In 2009 Nepal had 121 tigers; in 2018, there were 235. The Himalayan nation is the first to reach the goal of doubling the population of the endangered species by 2022.
Kathmandu (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The number of tigers doubled in Nepal thanks to the support of the Leonardo Di Caprio Foundation, a philanthropic organisation founded and chaired by the famous Hollywood star who is committed to animal and environmental protection. The information was announced as Nepal celebrated National Conservation Day on 23 September.
According to official data, the Himalayan nation had 121 tigers in 2009. This year, that number stood at 235. For the World Wildlife Federation, this is very significant in terms of saving the endangered species.
For Nepal, it means that it could be the first country in the world to double its tiger population since it adopted TX2, with the aim of doubling tiger numbers in the wild by 2022, a target set in 2010.
The survey to count the number of tigers was conducted with the help of camera traps in the transboundary Terai Arc Landscape along the border with India.
The Leonardo Di Caprio foundation funded the conservation programme in the Bardia National Park.
Upon hearing the news, the actor wrote on Instagram: “Nepal has been a leader in efforts to double tigers within its own borders and serves as a model for conservation for all of Asia and the world. I am proud of my foundation’s partnership with WWF to support Nepal and local communities in doubling the population of wild tigers.”
His fans reacted with elation, some hoping that other Hollywood celebrities might follow suit.
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13/11/2018 13:23
