Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio has praised Thailand for its successful effort to increase the population of wild tigers in the Huai Kha Kheng wildlife sanctuary in Thailand’s western forests.

In his Instagram post, on Global Tiger Day (July 29^th), DiCaprio wrote “In Thailand’s Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary, tigers are roaring back thanks to a major long-term effort by the government of Thailand, supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society.”

“As a result, tiger numbers in the sanctuary have risen dramatically, from 41 in 2010-11 to 66 today – a more than 60% increase.  In addition, tigers moving beyond the boundaries of the sanctuary are providing a foundation for recovering the population across the entire western forest complex of Thailand, with benefits even spilling across the border into the Taninthayi region of Myanmar.”

The Hollywood star is known to be a key player in the conservation of tigers, and other endangered species, under the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. He has joined forces with the World Wildlife Foundation to launch a campaign to conserve tigers throughout the country, under the auspices of the Save Tigers Now project, which is working to double the global tiger population by 2020.