Richmond has announced WWF-Australia as its official conservation partner, to help save wild tigers from extinction.

The new partnership will help efforts to double the number of wild tigers by 2022. This involves reducing the threat of poaching and ensuring that the homes of wild tigers – jungles and forests in Asia and Russia – are protected.

Since the Richmond Football Club was founded in 1885, the population of wild tigers has plummeted by about 95%. Today, there are less than 4,000 left in the wild.

The Club has appointed two Wild Tiger Ambassadors, forward Shane Edwards and assistant coach Ben Rutten, to increase awareness about what can be done to save tigers.

“It is a great privilege to be a tiger ambassador and I’m excited to be working with Richmond supporters to help these iconic animals,” Edwards said.

“WWF-Australia has a long and proud history. We’re looking forward to helping such an important organisation to raise much-needed awareness to help save tigers from extinction.”

WWF Tigers Alive Manager Dr Ashley Brooks said the organisation would educate the Club’s players, coaches and staff, as well as its members and supporters.

“From our experience, raising awareness is the first step towards protecting species that are on the brink of extinction. Strong action by the public causes governments to act, listen and save endangered animals,” Brooks said.

WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman also welcomed the partnership.

“Wild tigers require urgent action to prevent them from disappearing forever,” O’Gorman said.

“Collectively we must act now to reverse their decline and prevent them from becoming a permanent casualty of growing populations and environmental destruction.”

WWF-Australia will have a marquee at this Friday night’s Before the Pounce, where fans can grab a showbag and find out how they can help save tigers from extinction.

To find out more about WWF-Australia, or to make a contribution to their tiger adoption program, click here.