DHAKA: Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio donated $3 million to help save tigers in Nepal.

The Great Gatsby star made the donation to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) via his charitable foundation.

The funds will be used to significantly increase the number of tigers in Nepal by 2022 - the next year of the tiger.

In a statement, the 39-year-old said he`s "hopeful" the money will help to exceed the goal of doubling Nepal`s tiger population.

Nepal`s tigers are classified as endangered and - as with the general tiger population - are under threat from habitat destruction and escalating illegal poaching.

The DiCaprio Foundation aims to protect "Earth`s last wild places and foster a harmonious relationship between humanity and the natural world".

BDST: 2150 HRS, NOV 23, 2013