Species Spotlight: Clouded Leopard

OVERVIEW

Common name:  Clouded Leopard

Scientific name:  Neofelis nebulosa

Range:  Bangladesh; Bhutan; Cambodia; China; India; Myanmar; Nepal; Thailand; Vietnam

Conservation status: Listed as Vulnerable under IUCN, listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Listed under Appendix I of CITES.

INFORMATION

The clouded leopard is a distinct animal with cloud like markings on its coat. They are medium-sized cats and have a remarkably long tail in order to maintain their balance on trees. The clouded leopard can also climb while hanging upside-down under branches and descend tree trunks head-first. They can be found in Tropical evergreen forests and are found mainly in the Himalayan region in India. They primarily use trees for hunting as well as resting. Very little is known about the behavior of clouded leopards and they are often termed as secretive due to the lack of information about them. They are solitary hunters who prey on birds, fish, monkeys, deer, etc.  They play a role in controlling the population of prey animals, which limits the impact which these populations have on the ecosystem.

THREATS AND CONSERVATION

The clouded leopard has been threatened due to the extensive deforestation and their population has been decreasing since 1997. They are also hunted for their teeth, pelts as well as bones. Their skins are smuggled from Mainland China due to the demand for clouded leopard pelts. The Clouded Leopard has also gone extinct in the Taiwan Region. Even though trade of clouded leopard products has been banned by CITES, illegal trade of their skin and bones for various purposes continues even today. Clouded leopards are also being sold as exotic pets by various countries. Due to the scarce information available on clouded leopards and there is a necessity to raise awareness of the threats that they face in order to prevent them from going into extinction.

 REFERENCES

  1. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/10/151026-clouded-leopards-wildlife-trade-conservation/

  2. https://news.mongabay.com/2015/10/clouded-leopards-traded-more-than-tigers-in-some-illegal-markets/

  3. https://wildcatconservation.org/wild-cats/asia/clouded-leopard/

  4. https://wwf.panda.org/knowledge_hub/endangered_species/clouded_leopard/

  5. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Neofelis_nebulosa/

  6. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/understanding-clouded-leopards-and-their-habitats/article29245150.ece

  7. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/c/clouded-leopard/

  8. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/14519/97215090

About the author: Tarini Sharma is a fourth-year student from Symbiosis Law School, Pune.

Species SpotlightLindsey Zehel