International Clouded Leopard Day, observed every August 4th, raises awareness about the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), a medium-sized big cat renowned for its distinctive cloud-like coat patterns. Native to the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, the wild population has declined to fewer than 10,000 individuals and faces serious threats.
This article covers the significance of the day, clouded leopard characteristics, reasons for endangerment, extinction cases, and how we can contribute to their conservation.
The day aims to educate the public about this elusive and beautiful feline, encouraging conservation efforts. Despite their iconic status, much about their natural behavior and ecology remains unknown, necessitating more research and protection.
Medium-sized cat: 90–120 cm body length, 70–100 cm long tail.
Weighs 15–23 kg, females generally smaller.
Unique cloud-patterned and striped coat provides excellent camouflage.
Rounded head with black-spotted ears and large, expressive eyes.
Nocturnal and solitary; shy behavior makes them difficult to study.
Carnivorous diet includes deer, wild pigs, birds, and monkeys. Skilled climbers and swimmers.
Habitat includes tropical and subtropical forests, but habitat loss and fragmentation threaten survival.
Habitat Loss: Southeast Asia has the world's highest deforestation rates. Hydroelectric and road projects exacerbate fragmentation.
Poaching: Despite legal protections, clouded leopard skins, bones, and other parts fetch high black market prices.
Human-Wildlife Conflict: Farmers use poison to protect livestock, unintentionally harming clouded leopards.
These factors have caused severe population declines.
The Formosan clouded leopard, native to Taiwan, was declared extinct in the wild in 1990 due to habitat destruction and hunting. Recent surveys using thousands of camera traps confirmed the extinction.
Support conservation groups like WWF and Panthera through donations and volunteering.
Raise awareness and educate others about clouded leopard conservation.
Protect and restore forest habitats via reforestation projects.
Contribute to monitoring and research programs tracking clouded leopard populations.
Report illegal hunting and trade to authorities.
Protecting the clouded leopard means safeguarding entire forest ecosystems.
For more information, see related articles Why Protecting Endangered Animals Matters and Differences Between Leopard, Cheetah, and Jaguar.
animal tags：
you may also like
Brittle stars are marine invertebrates closely related to starfish, belonging to the class Ophiuroidea within the phylum Echinodermata. Though resembling sea stars, they have distinct anatomical and behavioral features. This article explores what brittle stars are, their species, habitat, feeding ha...
In nature, some animals have evolved amazing self- Defensive capabilities can effectively resist external threats. These animals not only have strong survival skills, but also have natural "armor" that makes them almost invulnerable, making them "armored warriors" in nature. Thes...
The tiger (Panthera tigris) is one of the world’s largest and most iconic wild cats. Historically, there were 9 tiger subspecies, but only 6 remain today. This article explores each living subspecies, their characteristics, distribution, and the conservation challenges they face—a must-read for wi...
What are some animals that start with the letter N?In the animal kingdom, there are many species of animals that start with the letter N, and they live in different geographical areas and have their own unique habits and characteristics. Here are some common animals that start with N, with a detaile...
A Doberman pinscher in the UK has 13 babies, and its owner plans to sell 7 of them, each for 1,000 pounds (approximately RMB 9,500). When Gina, a couple's pet Doberman pinscher in Suffolk, England, was examined for pregnancy, the veterinarian said she was only pregnant wi...
Plant protein vs animal protein: Which is better?With the popularization of the concept of healthy diet, the comparison between plant protein and animal protein has become the focus of many people. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. When choosing protein sources, it is important to unders...
No reptile is more fascinating than the chameleon. With its stunning appearance, it reminds us of ancient dragons. In fact, these fascinating creatures have been roaming the earth for 60 to 100 million years. Their ability to attract attention and almost blend into their surroundings with camouflage...
When we think of spiders, we often picture creepy crawlers spinning webs in the corner. But did you know that some spiders are truly superlative? These arachnids are not just your average eight-legged critters; they stand out for their amazing skills, size, speed, and even their sense of fashion! Le...
Email: jsset668#gmail.com (change # to @) Please indicate your purpose of visit! Guangdong ICP No. 2022053326 XML| map| Chinese
