Clouded Leopard

The clouded leopard has amazing tree climbing abilities, indeed in Malaysia its local name actually means 'branch-of-a-tree tiger' (4). It has been seen running head-first down tree trunks, climbing about on the underside of branches, and hanging upside down by its hind feet with the tail providing balance (6). The ability to climb trees allows it to forage for food in the canopy although it mainly uses the tree branches for resting. This species also swims well and has been found on small islands off the mainland in the past (6). It hunts by day or night, either stalking its prey on the ground or by ambushing it from the trees (7). It was originally thought that the long canines were for preying on large ungulates, though recent studies show that it feeds mainly on primates, birds, small mammals, porcupines, deer, and wild boar, as well as domestic livestock (5). These leopards are believed to be solitary animals except during the breeding season, when the males seek out the females (2), though little is known about their biology due to their elusiveness and so most information comes from captive individuals (7). The gestation period is between 86 and 93 days, and the female bears between one and five cubs, each weighing around 150 – 280 grams (4). Born with much darker side markings than the adults they are nursed for up to five months and achieve independence at nine months (7). It is not known how long the clouded leopard lives for in the wild, but captive individuals have lived for up to seventeen years (2).

The clouded leopard is generally protected under game laws and fully protected in parks and reserves, but there is not enough knowledge about wild populations to draw firm conclusions about the success of these conservation measures. The Formosan clouded leopard of Taiwan, (N. nebulosa brachyurus) a subspecies of Neofelis is thought to be extinct, and is an indication of the possible fate of clouded leopards elsewhere (2). Captive breeding programmes were initially unsuccessful due to the small gene pool available in captive as well as wild individuals (2). In addition, there has been high incidence of males killing females in captivity (5). The Clouded Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP) recognised these problems and in the late 1990s set up the Thailand Clouded Forest Foundation to research the behaviour of these cats and improve captive management and artificial reproduction (8). In 1998, 22 compatible pairs were given breeding recommendations and from January 1998 to August 2001, a total of 52 births occurred from 12 pairs (8). These results are positive, but there are still problems of reduced genetic diversity among the captive leopards and the small numbers of breeding individuals, which the Foundation is trying to address (8). The clouded leopard's survival depends on these conservation measures. It is hoped that one day we can attribute the rare sightings of this beautiful leopard to its elusive nature rather than diminishing numbers (5).

The clouded leopard 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 (4). The base of the fur is a pale yellow to rich brown, making the darker cloud-like markings look even more distinctive (5). The limbs and underbelly are marked with large black ovals, and the back of its neck is conspicuously marked with two thick black bars (6). The clouded leopard is about the size of a small Labrador retriever with a body length of up to 90 cm, an intermediate size between the large and small cats of the world (4). It does, however, have an exceptionally long tail for balancing, which can be as long as the body itself, thick with black ring markings (2). In proportion to its body size it also has the largest canines of all the cats, a feature that has earned this cat the reputation of being the 'modern day sabre-tooth' (5). Well adapted to forest life, the clouded leopard also has relatively short legs and broad paws which make it excellent at climbing trees and creeping through thick forest (7).

These shy and elusive cats are usually associated with tropical forests, but they also make use of other habitats. They have been seen in primary and secondary logged forest as well as grassland and scrub, mangrove swamps and even dry tropical forest (6).

The clouded leopard is found in tropical and sub-tropical forests from India, South China, Burma, and Indochina to Sumatra and Borneo (5). Despite this wide distribution, it actually has a very low population and is very thinly dispersed (5). The clouded leopard's total effective population size is estimated at below 10,000 mature breeding individuals; no subpopulation contains more than 1,000 mature breeding individuals (1).

Classified as Vulnerable (VU C2a(i)) on the IUCN Red List 2002 (1) and is listed on Appendix I of CITES (3).

Deforestation resulting from commercial logging and the growth of human settlements is thought to be the foremost threat to this species, (7). Not only does deforestation remove the clouded leopard's own shelter and habitat, but it reduces the number of prey species (4). As humans have increasingly encroached on their habitats, these leopards have been known to prey on livestock which puts them at risk of being killed by the owners (2). Another major threat is the hunting of this cat for its beautiful pelt and decorative teeth as well as its bones, which are prized in the traditional Asian medicinal trade (6). Clouded leopards have even featured on the menu of restaurants in Thailand and China which cater to wealthy Asian tourists (6).