Russian Prime Minister Calls Leonardo DiCaprio ‘a Real Man’ for Effort to Save Tigers

(HMG Celebrity News) – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was mightily impressed with  Leonardo DiCaprio’s commitment to save tigers.  The actor was forced to get on a third airplane to make the trip to St Petersburg summit on saving tigers, after his first flight was forced to make an emergency landing after losing an engine, while a second had to stop after encountering strong headwinds.

“I would like to thank you for coming despite all the obstacles,” Mr Putin told DiCaprio at the conference.

Mr Putin broke off from a prepared speech after he spotted DiCaprio in the audience.

“A person with less stable nerves could have decided against coming, could have read it as a sign – that it was not worth going,” Mr Putin said.

The prime minister said that, in Russia, DiCaprio’s efforts made him a “muzhik” – or “real man”.

“If wildlife and tiger conservation is in the hands of people with such character, we are destined to succeed.”

DiCaprio came to Russia for the first International Tiger Conservation Forum, a meeting of  leaders from 13 Asian tiger-range countries where tigers still live to discuss a plan to save the big cats from extinction. They’re hoping to save the remaining 3,200 wild tigers — threatened by poaching and illegal trafficking.  The plan is to double the population by 2022.  DiCaprio has reportedly pledged $1m  to the effort.

According to the BBC, DiCaprio told the prime minister that two of his late grandparents were Russian, and that he had always wanted to take his grandmother to St Petersburg.

“I’m sure when you get to know St Petersburg you will be proud of your Russian roots,” Mr Putin said.