Now 20 years later, the Clouded Leopard Project still exists, finding ways to support researchers who are working to protect the animals’ habitat, eliminate poaching and promote environmental stewardship in clouded leopard range countries to ensure that clouded leopard populations will continue far into the future. Hi, I'm a 72-year-old retired solicitor (attorney in the US). Clouded leopards have a hyoid bone so they can purr like small cats, but they cannot roar like other large cats. Clouded leopards roam the hunting grounds of Asia from the rain forests of Indonesia to the foothills of the Nepali Himalayas. They live throughout Nepal, India, Myanmar, Bhutan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indochina and China. Some are found in the mixed-evergreen forests of the northeastern and southeastern parts of Bangladesh. I am concerned about their welfare. However, recent genetic and morphological research has shown that there are two distinct species. They can descend head first down tree trunks, move along branches while hanging upside down and even hang from branches using only their hind feet enabling them to drop down and ambush prey on the ground. It is extinct in Taiwan although at 2002 it is referred to as occupying Taiwan by the Sunquists. “The servals long legs [the lo, It’s the beginning of a new week and to start that week off with a smile I’d like to present adorable photos of dogs babysitting kittens. An endangered clouded leopard was spotted at a mountain range in the Isaan province Si Sa Ket. Extinct in Taiwan. The modern day barn cat is as close as we can get, With the complications of our ‘new normal’ created by countries and states going into strict quarantine due to COVID-19, many who care for feral cats are worried. The clouded leopard occurs from the Himalayan foothills in Nepal, Bhutan and India to Myanmar, southeastern Bangladesh, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, to south of the Yangtze River in China. For that reason the clouded leopard range of Neofelis diardi is shown as separate in blue highlighter on this page. 2009: The Clouded Leopard range (geographic distribution) is presented in an embedded customised Google map. It varies greatly in size and markings. In captivity, clouded leopards mate from December to March. It has been found at relatively high altitudes in the Himalayas. The outstanding features are its very long tail for balance (which it need as it is a tree dweller), its fabulous coat with cloud like markings (which has been the cause of it demise) and its very square and large muzzle. Clouded Leopard. In a ground-level den or hollow tree, the female gives birth to a litter of one to five (usually two) cubs after a gestation of 85-93 days. Additional charges are pending. Females raise the cubs alone. The cubs open their eyes at 10-11 days. Leopard, also called panther, large cat closely related to the lion, tiger, and jaguar. Clouded leopards are placed in their own genus. Clouded leopards have the longest canine teeth relative to their body size of any cat species. Camera trapping studies carried out in several protected areas in Taiwan between 1997 and 2012 did not reveal the presence of a clouded leopard. The rare sighting, captured using a camera trap, was the first time in about 20 years the wildcat has been seen in the Phnom Dongrak mountain range which borders Cambodia. Population numbers are thought to be lower outside protected areas and are probably healthiest in Borneo because of the absence of tigers and leopards. They are regionally extinct in Taiwan. It would seem that the clouded leopard range in China is an estimate as it is fast shrinking and this cat is persecuted in China (“illegal hunting is prolific” – Red List). Get the FREE Denver Zoo app today, and be a pro the next time you visit the Zoo. Countries within the Sunda Clouded Leopard range are (1) on the island of Borneo:- Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatera) and (2) in Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak). I have a girlfriend, Michelle. Camera traps, installed by park rangers on the Phnom Dongrak mountain range between November 1 st and 24 th, have captured the first images in 20 years of a rare clouded leopard, among several other wildlife species, according to Chaiwat Limlikhit-akson, director of the 9th Conservation Area Office.. Their fur has distinctive “cloud-shaped” dark blotches partially framed in black on a tawny gray background. Clouded leopards are found in South East Asia. I have described the cat's muzzle as massive. After eating clouded leopards retire to a tree where they rest which aids the digestion of their food. There has either been increased fragmentation of the range of Neofelis nebulosa (purple range)since 2002 or there has been a more accurate assessment since then (or both). This is a classic Helmi Flick studio photograph of SC Surreal's Trick of Treat 'Fruit Loops'. It is called the “branch-tiger” in Malaysia. The clouded leopards’ distinctive coloration and cloud-like spot pattern provide excellent camouflage in their forest habitat. Those involved in trap-neuter-return (TNR) know what I’m talking about as we often deal with the frustration of colony cats being trap shy. PoC uses cookies to improve your experience on the site. Since the 2002 range map in the book Wild Cats Of The World (WoW – Sunquist) the clouded leopards of both Borneo and Sumatra have been assessed as a separate species, Neofelis diardi. Clouded Leopard – photos by Smithsonian’s National Zoo Lisa Ware — Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center. The overall goals of the Clouded Leopard SSP program are to address captive management issues, stabilize population demographics, improve the population’s genetics, and develop conservation efforts in clouded leopard range countries. I love nature, cats and all animals. It was first described in 1862 on the basis of a traded skin with an incomplete tail. Here’s an example why. You can even load your membership card onto the app for additional convenience. Clouded Leopards have a typical lifespan of 11-15 years in the wild and 17-20 years in captivity. The background colour of this cat ranges from greyish brown to light brown and the undersides are usual lighter being white of pale tawny coloured. It is regionally extinct in Singapore and Taiwan, and potentially Hainan Island. The photographs opposite are by Lisa Ware of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo – great pics and they say a thousand words but here are some words anyway! Note: the ranges for both Neofelis nebulosa (purple) and the recently classified Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi – blue) are shown. Lifespan in the wild is about 11 years. I explain why. The countries that falll within the clouded leopard range (as at 2009) are: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. They are hunted for their beautiful pelts and their bones, claws and teeth are used in traditional Asian medicine. Their short, flexible legs, large feet and sharp, retractable claws make them very adept in the trees. Clouded leopard does not have mating season in the wild. Clouded leopards live throughout southern China, the eastern Himalayan Mountains, south-east Asia, and some parts of Indonesia. 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