Leonardo DiCaprio gives $1 million to elephant conservation

The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation have a $1 million grant to the Elephant Crisis Fund, a joint initiative created by Wildlife Conservation Network and Save the Elephants. The grant will be used to save elephants from the current ivory poaching crisis by funding on-the-ground projects that stop poaching, trafficking, and demand for ivory.

The grant was announced at a gala in Malibu in support of the Elephant Crisis Fund, which brought the total raised that evening to $2 million, all of which will be sent directly to anti-poaching, anti-trafficking and ivory demand reduction projects on the ground.

“Elephant poaching is a brutal crisis, with more than 30,000 elephants killed last year alone,” said Leonardo DiCaprio. “The decimation of these animals is something we have the power to stop, and the Elephant Crisis Fund is a crucial part of the solution. I am honored to support them and recognize Dr. Douglas-Hamilton for his lifelong commitment to protecting this species.”

The Elephant Crisis Fund (ECF) directs 100 per cent of donations to global anti-poaching, anti-trafficking and ivory demand reduction actions on the ground. Projects supported by the Elephant Crisis Fund so far include an airplane that flies over Tsavo National Park in Kenya to detect poachers, and sniffer dogs trained to find ivory at ports.

"The only future for elephants is for governments, organisations, and individuals to join together in their support. What we have seen in Los Angeles has given us greater hope than ever, as a generous donation by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation was matched by this astonishing community," said Iain Douglas-Hamilton, founder of Save The Elephants.

Source: Leonardo DiCaprio gives $1 million to elephant conservation