CLOUDED LEOPARD

Aug. 25, 2019

A recent research paper published on clouded leopards by over 20 researchers from across the globe has helped understanding the habitats, migration corridors and laid out the conservation strategies.

About:

Sub Species: Classically considered a single species, the Clouded Leopard has recently been split into two species.
- Neofelis Nebulosi: It is restricted to mainland Southeast Asia.
- Neofelis Diardi: It is found on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.
Physical description:
- Clouds: It is named after the distinctive 'clouds' on its coat - ellipses partially edged in black, with the insides a darker colour than the background colour of the pelt.
- Legs: It has relatively short legs and broad paws which make it excellent at climbing trees.
Range:
- Historically, their range covered most of Southeast Asia from Nepal and southern China through Thailand, Indonesia, and Borneo. It is regionally extinct in Singapore and Taiwan.’
- In India, it occurs in north-east and West Bengal. It is the state animal of Meghalaya.
  - Dampa tiger reserve in Mizoram has one of the highest population densities.
Habitat: Subtropical/Tropical Moist Forests.
Conservation status: Both the species are listed as Vulnerable in IUCN red list.
In 2018, India added clouded leopards to its Recovery Programme for Critically Endangered Species to aid more research and strengthen conservation efforts.