Mother Nature (WRATH)

[arizona1]

Beijing philanthropist gives $2 billion for wildlife conservation in biggest ever personal amount

BEIJING (BLOOMBERG) - This Saturday (Oct 14) in Monaco, He Qiaonv will announce the first step in a US$1.5 billion (S$2 billion) plan that may represent the largest-ever personal philanthropic commitment to wildlife conservation.

The number isn't the only thing that's surprising about the announcement. The source might equally raise eyebrows: The donation isn't coming from a known Western conservationist like Paul Allen, but from a landscape planner-turned-environmental steward who's based in Beijing.

Madame He represents a new wave of self-made Chinese philanthropists unafraid to spend; her seven-year pledge stands at more than a third of her current US$3.6 billion net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

With the emergence of Chinese leadership in this area, Kaplan says Qiaonv's pledge stands to change the face of cat conservation forever. "One day this event may be seen as a watershed."

Read more: http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/beijing-philanthropist-gives-2-billion-for-wildlife-conservation-in-biggest-ever