Updated

The crown prince of the oil-rich Mideast emirate of Abu Dhabi and other international donors say they are committing a combined $80 million to fund the conservation of lions, tigers and other wild cats.

The donors announced the 10-year funding effort Sunday following a signing ceremony in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, in partnership with New York-based big cat conservation organization Panthera.

The supporters include Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is next in line to rule Abu Dhabi. Other backers are Jho Low, CEO of Hong Kong-based investment firm Jynwel Capital, businessman Hemendra Kothari, who chairs DSP Blackrock India and India's Wildlife Conservation Trust, and Panthera founders Thomas Kaplan and Daphne Recanati Kaplan.