Mumbai: Long known as an ardent champion of animal welfare, actor Anushka Sharma has now joined hands with Discovery channel to promote a global awareness movement to save our national animal, tigers, from extinction.

The actor will promote Project C.A.T: Conserving Acers for Tigers, aimed at raising awareness to preserve the habitat of the declining numbers of the wild tiger. Discovery has collaborated with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for Project C.A.T.

In light of the recent events surrounding the 'murder' of tigress Avni or T1, such awareness is much needed. Anushka was also recognized as PETA’s person of the year 2017 and has recently announced her dream project of building an animal shelter.

“Tigers - the glorious wild cats are in real danger of getting extinct and they need our help. As a large predator, tigers are an umbrella species and play a critical role in ensuring that the delicate ecological balance in the wild is maintained,” she said, adding, “The current situation is a sad reflection of us as human beings. All of us need to reflect how we can contribute to make the world a better place to live and ensure that our future generations too can experience this magnificent creature. I just cannot fathom this world without them.”

The tiger population has shrunk by 96% over the last century and only as few as 3900 are left in the wild across the world. 

As part of the WWF partnership launched in 2016, Discovery’s Project C.A.T. program funds nearly two million acres of protected habitat in India and Bhutan to protect and increase the wild tiger population. This year Discovery has further increased the ambit of Project C.A.T by extending support to WWF for Tiger conservation initiatives in Sundarbans forest located in the coastal region of Bay of Bengal.