clouded leopard

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{{Speciesbox

| name = Clouded leopard

| image = Neofelis nebulosa, Clouded leopard.jpg

| image_caption = Clouded leopard in Kaeng Krachan National Park

| status = VU

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |title=Neofelis nebulosa |name-list-style=amp |author=Gray, T. |author2=Borah, J. |author3=Coudrat, C.N.Z. |author4=Ghimirey, Y. |author5=Giordano, A. |author6=Greenspan, E. |author7=Petersen, W. |author8=Rostro-García, S. |author9=Shariff, M. |author10=Wai-Ming, W. |date=2021 |page=e.T14519A198843258 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T14519A198843258.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}

| status2 = CITES_A1

| status2_system = CITES

| status2_ref =

| genus = Neofelis

| species = nebulosa{{MSW3 Wozencraft |page=545–546 |id=14000222 |heading=Species Neofelis nebulosa}}

| authority = (Griffith, 1821)

| range_map = Clouded Leopard distribution.png

| range_map_caption = Distribution of the clouded leopard

}}

The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), also called mainland clouded leopard, is a wild cat inhabiting dense forests from the foothills of the Himalayas through Northeast India and Bhutan to mainland Southeast Asia into South China. It was first described in 1821 on the basis of a skin of an individual from China. The clouded leopard has large dusky-grey blotches and irregular spots and stripes reminiscent of clouds. Its head-and-body length ranges from {{cvt|68.6|to|108|cm}} with a {{cvt|61|to|91|cm}} long tail. It uses its tail for balancing when moving in trees and is able to climb down vertical tree trunks head first. It rests in trees during the day and hunts by night on the forest floor.

The clouded leopard is the sister taxon to other pantherine cats, having genetically diverged 9.32 to 4.47 million years ago. Today, the clouded leopard is locally extinct in Singapore, Taiwan, and possibly also in Hainan Island and Vietnam. The wild population is believed to be in decline with fewer than 10,000 adults and no more than 1,000 in each subpopulation. It has therefore been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2008. The population is threatened by large–scale deforestation and commercial poaching for the wildlife trade. Its body parts are offered for decoration and clothing, though it is legally protected in most range countries.

The clouded leopard has been kept in zoological gardens since the early 20th century. Captive breeding programs were initiated in the 1980s. In captivity, the clouded leopard has an average lifespan of 11 years.

Taxonomy and phylogeny

Felis nebulosa was proposed by Edward Griffith in 1821 who first described a skin of a clouded leopard that was brought alive from Guangdong in China to the menagerie at Exeter Exchange in London.{{cite book |last=Griffith, E. |year=1821 |title=General and particular descriptions of the vertebrated animals arranged comfortably to the modern discoveries and improvements in zoology |location=London |publisher=Baldwin, Cradock & Joy |chapter=The Chinese, or tortoiseshell Tiger. Felis nebulosa |page=37 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XMAyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA36-IA2 |access-date=19 November 2020 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210100221/https://books.google.com/books?id=XMAyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA36-IA2 |url-status=live}}

Felis macrosceloides proposed by Brian Houghton Hodgson in 1841 was a clouded leopard specimen from Nepal.{{cite journal |last=Hodgson, B. H. |year=1841 |title=Classified Catalogue of Mammals of Nepal |journal=Calcutta Journal of Natural History and Miscellany of the Arts and Sciences in India |volume=IV |pages=284–294 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oYg5AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA286 |access-date=10 May 2018 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210100216/https://books.google.com/books?id=oYg5AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA286 |url-status=live }}{{cite journal |last=Hodgson, B. H. |year=1853 |title=Felis macrosceloides |journal=Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London |volume=I. Mammalia |page=Plate XXXVIII |url=https://archive.org/stream/proceedingsofzoo001zool#page/n83/mode/2up}}

Felis brachyura proposed by Robert Swinhoe in 1862 was a clouded leopard skin from Taiwan.{{cite journal |last=Swinhoe R. |year=1862 |title=On the mammals of the Island of Formosa (China) |journal=Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London |volume=30 |pages=347–365 |url=https://archive.org/details/proceedingsofgen62zool/page/352 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.1862.tb06539.x}}

The generic name Neofelis was proposed by John Edward Gray in 1867 who subordinated all three to this genus.{{cite journal |last=Gray, J. E. |year=1867 |title=Notes on the skulls of cats (Felidae) |journal=Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London |volume=35 |pages=258–277}}

At present, N. nebulosa is considered a monotypic species due to lack of evidence for subspeciation.{{cite journal |author1=Kitchener, A. C. |author2=Breitenmoser-Würsten, C. |author3=Eizirik, E. |author4=Gentry, A. |author5=Werdelin, L. |author6=Wilting, A. |author7=Yamaguchi, N. |author8=Abramov, A. V. |author9=Christiansen, P. |author10=Driscoll, C. |author11=Duckworth, J. W. |author12=Johnson, W. |author13=Luo, S.-J. |author14=Meijaard, E. |author15=O’Donoghue, P. |author16=Sanderson, J. |author17=Seymour, K. |author18=Bruford, M. |author19=Groves, C. |author20=Hoffmann, M. |author21=Nowell, K. |author22=Timmons, Z. |author23=Tobe, S. |name-list-style=amp |year=2017 |title=A revised taxonomy of the Felidae: The final report of the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group |journal=Cat News |issue=Special Issue 11 |pages=64–66 |url=https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/32616/A_revised_Felidae_Taxonomy_CatNews.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y#page=67 |access-date=20 December 2020 |archive-date=17 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117172708/https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/32616/A_revised_Felidae_Taxonomy_CatNews.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y#page=67 |url-status=live}}

Felis diardi proposed by Georges Cuvier in 1823 was based on a clouded leopard skin from Java.{{cite book |author=Cuvier, G. |year=1823 |title=Recherches sur les ossemens fossiles : où l'on rétablit les caractères de plusieurs animaux dont les révolutions du globe ont détruit les espèces. Volume IV: Les ruminans et les carnassiers fossiles |location=Paris |publisher=G. Dufour & E. d'Ocagne |chapter=Des ossemens des grands Felis |pages=407−456 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=05rNEbfb4v4C&pg=PA437 |access-date=17 November 2020 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210100221/https://books.google.com/books?id=05rNEbfb4v4C&pg=PA437 |url-status=live }}

It was considered a clouded leopard subspecies by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1917.{{cite journal |last1=Pocock |first1=R. I. |year=1917 |title=The classification of existing Felidae |journal=The Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Including Zoology, Botany, and Geology |series=8th |volume=20 |issue=119 |pages=329–350 |doi=10.1080/00222931709487018 |url=https://archive.org/stream/annalsmagazineof8201917lond#page/343/mode/1up}} In 2006, it was identified as a distinct Neofelis species, the Sunda clouded leopard.{{cite journal |last1=Buckley-Beason |first1=V. A. |last2=Johnson |first2=W. E. |last3=Nash |first3=W. G. |last4=Stanyon |first4=R. |last5=Menninger |first5=J. C. |last6=Driscoll |first6=C. A. |last7=Howard |first7=J. |last8=Bush |first8=M. |last9=Page |first9=J. E. |last10=Roelke |first10=M. E. |last11=Stone |first11=G. |last12=Martelli |first12=P. P. |last13=Wen |first13=C. |last14=Ling |first14=L. |last15=Duraisingam |first15=R. K. |last16=Lam |first16=P. V. |last17=O'Brien |first17=S. J. |name-list-style=amp |title=Molecular evidence for species-level distinctions in clouded leopards |journal=Current Biology |year=2006 |volume=16 |issue=23 |pages=2371–2376 |doi=10.1016/j.cub.2006.08.066 |pmid=17141620 |pmc=5618441|bibcode=2006CBio...16.2371B }}{{cite journal |last1=Kitchener |first1=A. C. |last2=Beaumont |first2=M. A. |last3=Richardson |first3=D. |name-list-style=amp |title=Geographical variation in the clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, reveals two species|journal=Current Biology |year=2006 |volume=16 |issue=23 |pages=2377–2383 |doi=10.1016/j.cub.2006.10.066 |pmid=17141621|s2cid=6838593 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2006CBio...16.2377K }} Populations in Taiwan and Hainan Island are considered to belong to the mainland clouded leopard.

= Phylogeny =

Skulls of clouded leopard and Panthera species were analysed morphologically in the 1960s. Results indicate that the clouded leopard forms an evolutionary link between the Pantherinae and the Felinae.

Phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear DNA in tissue samples from all Felidae species revealed that the evolutionary radiation of the Felidae began in the Miocene around {{mya|14.45|8.38}} in Asia.{{cite journal |last1=Johnson |first1=W. E. |last2=Eizirik |first2=E. |last3=Pecon-Slattery |first3=J. |last4=Murphy, W. J. |last5=Antunes, A. |last6=Teeling, E. |last7=O'Brien, S. J. |name-list-style=amp |year=2006 |doi=10.1126/science.1122277 |title=The Late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: A genetic assessment |journal=Science |volume=311 |pages=73–77 |issue=5757 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1230866 |pmid=16400146 |bibcode=2006Sci...311...73J |s2cid=41672825 |access-date=11 September 2019 |archive-date=4 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004075725/https://zenodo.org/record/1230866 |url-status=live}}{{cite book |last1=Werdelin |first1=L. |last2=Yamaguchi |first2=N. |last3=Johnson |first3=W. E. |last4=O'Brien |first4=S. J. |name-list-style=amp |chapter=Phylogeny and evolution of cats (Felidae) |year=2010 |pages=59–82 |editor1-last=Macdonald |editor1-first=D. W. |editor2-last=Loveridge |editor2-first=A. J. |title=Biology and Conservation of Wild Felids |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford, UK |isbn=978-0-19-923445-5 |chapter-url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266755142 |access-date=16 September 2019 |archive-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925141956/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266755142 |url-status=live}} Analysis of mitochondrial DNA of all Felidae species indicates a radiation at {{mya|16.76|6.46}}.{{cite journal |author=Li, G. |author2=Davis, B. W. |author3=Eizirik, E. |name-list-style=amp |author4=Murphy, W. J. |year=2016 |title=Phylogenomic evidence for ancient hybridization in the genomes of living cats (Felidae) |journal=Genome Research |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=1–11 |doi=10.1101/gr.186668.114 |pmid=26518481 |pmc=4691742}}

The clouded leopard is the sister taxon to all other members of the Pantherinae, diverging {{mya|9.32|4.47}}, based on analysis of their nuclear DNA.

The clouded leopard from mainland Asia reached Borneo and Sumatra via a now submerged land bridge probably during the Pleistocene, when populations became isolated during periods of global cooling and warming. Genetic analysis of hair samples of the clouded leopard and its sister species the Sunda clouded leopard (N. diardi) indicates that they diverged 2.0–0.93 million years ago.

{{clade gallery |align=left |width=400px; |main-caption=Phylogenetic relationships of the clouded leopard as derived through analysis of

|header1=nuclear DNA:

|cladogram1={{clade |label1=Felidae

|1={{clade |label2=Pantherinae

|1=Felinae

|2={{clade |1=Panthera |2=Clouded leopard }} }} }}

|header2=combined mitochondrial and nuclear DNA:

|cladogram2={{clade |label1=Felidae

|1={{clade |label2=Pantherinae

|1=Felinae

|2={{clade

|1=Panthera |label2=Neofelis

|2={{clade

|1=Sunda clouded leopard

|2=Mainland clouded leopard }} }} }} }} }}

Characteristics

{{multiple image |align=right |direction=vertical

|image1=Neofelis nebulosa face.jpg |caption1=Face

|image2=Neofelis nebulosa 05 MWNH 495.jpg |caption2=Skull

}}

The clouded leopard's fur is of a dark grey or ochreous ground-color, often largely obliterated by black and dark dusky-grey blotched pattern. There are black spots on the head, and the ears are black. Partly fused or broken-up stripes run from the corner of the eyes over the cheek, from the corner of the mouth to the neck, and along the nape to the shoulders. Elongated blotches continue down the spine and form a single median stripe on the loins. Two large blotches of dark dusky-grey hair on the side of the shoulders are each emphasized posteriorly by a dark stripe, which passes on to the foreleg and breaks up into irregular spots. The flanks are marked by dark dusky-grey irregular blotches bordered behind by long, oblique, irregularly curved or looped stripes. These blotches yielding the clouded pattern suggest the English name of the cat. The underparts and legs are spotted, and the tail is marked by large, irregular, paired spots. Its legs are short and stout, and paws broad. Females are slightly smaller than males.{{cite book |author=Pocock, R.I. |author-link=Reginald Innes Pocock |year=1939 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/PocockMammalia1/pocock1#page/n315/mode/2up |chapter=Genus Neofelis Gray. The Clouded Leopard |title=The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma |volume=Mammalia. – Volume 1 |publisher=Taylor and Francis, Ltd. |location=London |pages=247–253}} {{source-attribution}}

Its hyoid bone is ossified, making it possible to purr. Its pupils contract into vertical slits.{{cite book |author=Guggisberg, C.A.W. |year=1975 |chapter=Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa (Griffiths, 1821) |title=Wild cats of the World |publisher=Taplinger Publishing |location=New York |isbn=978-0-8008-8324-9 |pages=125–130}} Irises are brownish yellow to grayish green. Melanistic clouded leopards are uncommon. It has rather short limbs compared to the other big cats. Its hind limbs are longer than its front limbs to allow for increased jumping and leaping capabilities. Its ulnae and radii are not fused, which also contributes to a greater range of motion when climbing trees and stalking prey. Clouded leopards weigh between {{cvt|11.5|and|23|kg}}. Females vary in head-to-body length from {{cvt|68.6|to|94|cm}}, with a tail {{cvt|61|to|82|cm}} long. Males are larger at {{cvt|81|to|108|cm}} with a tail {{cvt|74|to|91|cm}} long.{{cite book |author=Sunquist, M. |author2=Sunquist, F. |name-list-style=amp |year=2002 |title=Wild cats of the World |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |chapter=Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa (Griffiths, 1821) |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IF8nDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA278 |pages=278–284 |isbn=978-0-226-77999-7 |access-date=26 November 2020 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210100205/https://books.google.com/books?id=IF8nDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA278 |url-status=live }}

Its shoulder height varies from {{cvt|50|to|55|cm}}.{{cite book |author=Clouded Leopard SSP |year=2000 |title=Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) Husbandry Guidelines |location=Silver Spring |publisher=Association of Zoos and Aquariums |url=http://www.cloudedleopard.org//Documents/Husbandry_manual.pdf |access-date=27 January 2013 |archive-date=17 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017214344/http://www.cloudedleopard.org/Documents/Husbandry_manual.pdf |url-status=live }}

Its skull is long and low with strong occipital and sagittal crests. The canine teeth are exceptionally long, the upper being about three times as long as the basal width of the socket. The first premolar is usually absent. The upper pair of canines measure {{cvt|4|cm}} or longer.

It has a bite force at the canine tip of 544.3 Newton and a bite force quotient at the canine tip of 122.4.{{cite journal |author=Christiansen, P. |author2=Wroe, S. |name-list-style=amp |year=2007 |title=Bite forces and evolutionary adaptations to feeding ecology in carnivores |journal=Ecology |volume=88 |issue=2 |pages=347–358 |doi=10.1890/0012-9658(2007)88[347:bfaeat]2.0.co;2 |pmid=17479753}}

The clouded leopard is often referred to as a "modern-day sabre-tooth" because it has the largest canines in proportion to its body size.

Distribution and habitat

File:Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa by Dr Raju Kasambe DSC 7497 (28).JPG, Mizoram, India]]

The clouded leopard occurs from the Himalayan foothills in Nepal, Bhutan and India to Myanmar, southeastern Bangladesh, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and to south of the Yangtze River in China. It is locally extinct in Singapore and Taiwan.

Clouded leopards were found in Nepal in 1987 and 1988, having previously been presumed to be extinct in the country.{{cite journal |last1=Dinerstein |first1=E. |last2=Mehta |first2=J. N. |name-list-style=amp |year=1989 |title=The clouded leopard in Nepal |journal=Oryx |volume=23 |issue=4 |pages=199–201 |s2cid=86485712 |doi=10.1017/s0030605300023024 |doi-access=free }} Since then, the clouded leopard has been recorded in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and in Annapurna Conservation Area.{{cite journal |last1=Pandey |first1=B. P. |year=2012 |title=Clouded leopard in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal |journal=Cat News | issue=57 |pages=24–25}}{{cite journal |last1=Ghimirey |first1=Y. |last2=Acharya |first2=R. |last3=Adhikary |first3=B. |last4=Werhahn |first4=G. |last5=Appel |first5=A. |name-list-style=amp |year=2013 |title=Clouded leopard camera-trapped in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal |journal=Cat News |issue=58 |page=25}} Between 2014 and 2015, it was also recorded in Langtang National Park at an elevation range of {{cvt|1823-3498|m}}.{{cite journal |author1=Can, Ö. E. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Yadav, B. P. |author3=Johnson, P. J. |author4=Ross, J. |author5=D’Cruze, N. |author6=Macdonald, D. W. |year=2020 |title=Factors affecting the occurrence and activity of clouded leopards, common leopards and leopard cats in the Himalayas |journal=Biodiversity and Conservation |volume=29 |issue=3 |pages=839–851 |doi=10.1007/s10531-019-01912-7 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2020BiCon..29..839C}}

In India, it occurs in the states of Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as in the Meghalaya subtropical forests.{{cite journal |last1=Choudhury |first1=A. U. |year=1992 |title=The Clouded Leopard in Assam |journal=Oryx |volume=27 |issue=1|pages=51–53 |doi=10.1017/s0030605300023966 |doi-access=free}}{{cite journal |last1=Choudhury |first1=A. U. |year=1996 |title=The clouded leopard |journal=Cheetah |volume=35 |issue=1–2 |pages=13–18}}{{cite journal |last1=Choudhury |first1=A. |year=1997 |title=The clouded leopard in Manipur and Nagaland |journal=Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society |volume=94 |issue=2 |pages=389–391}}{{cite journal |last1=Choudhury |first1=A. U. |year=2003 |title=The cats in North East India |journal=Cat News |volume=39 |pages=15–19}} In Pakke Tiger Reserve, a clouded leopard was photographed in semi-evergreen forest at an elevation of {{cvt|144|m}}.{{cite journal |last1=Borah |first1=J. |last2=Sharma |first2=T. |last3=Lyngdoh |first3=S. |last4=Tapi |first4=T. |name-list-style=amp |year=2010 |title=First photograph of a clouded leopard at Pakke Tiger Reserve, India |journal=Cat News |issue=52 |pages=24–25 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315673188}} In Sikkim, clouded leopards were photographed by camera traps at elevations of {{cvt|2500|-|3720|m}} between April 2008 and May 2010 in the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve.{{cite journal |last1=Sathykumar |first1=S. |last2=Bashir |first2=T. |last3=Bhattacharya |first3=T. |last4=Poudyal |first4=K. |name-list-style=amp |year=2011 |title=Assessing mammal distribution and abundance in intricate Eastern Himalayan habitats of Khangchendzonga, Sikkim, India |journal=Mammalia |volume=75 |issue=3 |pages=257–268 |doi=10.1515/mamm.2011.023 |s2cid=52205824}} In Manas National Park, 16 individuals were recorded during a survey in November 2010 to February 2011.{{cite journal |last1=Borah |first1=J. |last2=Sharma |first2=T. |last3=Das |first3=D. |last4=Rabha |first4=N. |last5=Kakati |first5=N. |last6=Basumatary |first6=A. |last7=Ahmed |first7=M. F. |last8=Vattakaven |first8=J. |name-list-style=amp |year=2014 |title=Abundance and density estimates for common leopard Panthera pardus and clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa in Manas National Park, Assam, India |journal=Oryx |volume=48 |issue=1 |pages=149–155 |doi=10.1017/s0030605312000373 |doi-access=free}} Between January 2013 and March 2018, clouded leopards were also recorded in Dampa Tiger Reserve, Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary and Singchung-Bugun Village Community Reserve, in Meghalaya's Nongkhyllem National Park and Balpakram-Baghmara landscape.{{cite journal |last1=Mukherjee |first1=S. |last2=Singh |first2=P. |last3=Silva |first3=A. |last4=Ri |first4=C. |last5=Kakati |first5=K. |last6=Borah |first6=B. |last7=Tapi |first7=T. |last8=Kadur |first8=S. |last9=Choudhary |first9=P. |last10=Srikant |first10=S. |last11=Nadig |first11=S. |last12=Navya |first12=R. |last13=Björklund |first13=R. |last14=Ramakrishnan |first14=U. |name-list-style=amp |year=2019 |title=Activity patterns of the small and medium felid (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) guild in northeastern India |journal=Journal of Threatened Taxa |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=13432–13447 |doi=10.11609/jott.4662.11.4.13432-13447 |doi-access=free}}

In Bhutan, it was recorded in Royal Manas National Park, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, Jigme Dorji National Park, Phrumsengla National Park, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary and several non-protected areas.{{cite journal |last1=Tempa |first1=T. |last2=Hebblewhite |first2=M. |last3=Mills |first3=L. S. |last4=Wangchuk |first4=T. R. |last5=Norbu |first5=N. |last6=Wangchuk |first6=T. |last7=Nidup |first7=T. |last8=Dendup |first8=P. |last9=Wangchuk |first9=D. |last10=Wangdi |first10=Y. |last11=Dorji |first11=T. |name-list-style=amp |year=2013 |title=Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan: a hot spot for wild felids |journal=Oryx |volume=47 |issue=2 |pages=207–210 |doi=10.1017/s0030605312001317 |doi-access=free}}{{cite journal |last1=Penjor |first1=U. |last2=Macdonald |first2=D. W. |last3=Wangchuk |first3=S. |last4=Tandin |first4=T. |last5=Tan |first5=C. K. W. |name-list-style=amp |year=2018 |title=Identifying important conservation areas for the clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa in a mountainous landscape: Inference from spatial modeling techniques |journal=Ecology and Evolution |volume=8 |issue=8 |pages=4278–4291 |doi=10.1002/ece3.3970 |pmc=5916301 |pmid=29721297|bibcode=2018EcoEv...8.4278P }} In Bangladesh, it was recorded in Sangu Matamuhari in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in 2016.{{cite journal |author=Petersen, W. J. |author2=Savini, T. |author3=Ngoprasert, D. |name-list-style=amp |doi=10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01354 |title=Strongholds under siege: Range-wide deforestation and poaching threaten mainland clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) |date=2020 |journal=Global Ecology and Conservation |volume=24 |page=e01354 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2020GEcoC..2401354P }} In Myanmar, it was recorded by camera traps for the first time in the hill forests of Karen State in 2015.{{cite journal |last1=Saw Sha Bwe Moo |last2=Froese |first2=G. Z. L. |last3=Gray |first3=T. N. E. |name-list-style=amp |year=2017 |title=First structured camera-trap surveys in Karen State, Myanmar, reveal high diversity of globally threatened mammals |journal=Oryx |volume=52 |issue=3 |pages=537 |doi=10.1017/S0030605316001113 |doi-access=free}}

In Thailand, it inhabits relatively open, dry tropical forest in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary and closed-forest habitats in Khao Yai National Park.{{cite journal |last1=Rabinowitz |first1=A. R. |last2=Walker |first2=S. R. |name-list-style=amp |year=1991 |title=The carnivore community in a dry tropical forest mosaic in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand |journal=Journal of Tropical Ecology |volume=7 |pages=37–47 |doi=10.1017/s0266467400005034|s2cid=84998140 }}{{cite journal |last1=Grassman | first1=L. I. Jr. |last2=Tewes | first2=M. E. |last3=Silvy |first3=N. J. |last4=Kreetiyutanont |first4=K. |name-list-style=amp |year=2005 |title=Ecology of three sympatric felids in a mixed evergreen forest in North-central Thailand |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |volume=86 |pages=29–38 |doi=10.1644/1545-1542(2005)086<0029:eotsfi>2.0.co;2 | s2cid=86640520 |doi-access=}}{{cite journal |last1=Austin |first1=S. C. |last2=Tewes |first2=M. E. |last3=Grassman |first3=L. I. Jr. |last4=Silvy |first4=N. J. |name-list-style=amp |year=2007 |title=Ecology and conservation of the leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis and clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand |journal=Acta Zoologica Sinica |volume=53 |pages=1–14}} In Laos, it was recorded in Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area in dry evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.{{cite journal |author1=Rasphone, A. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Kamler, J.F. |author3=Macdonald, D.W. |year=2020 |title=Temporal partitioning by felids, dholes and their potential prey in northern Laos |journal=Mammal Research |volume=65 |issue=4 |pages=679–689 |doi=10.1007/s13364-020-00524-9 |doi-access=free}} In Cambodia, it was recorded in deciduous dipterocarp forest in Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary between 2008 and 2009,{{cite journal |author1=Gray, T.N. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Phan, C. |year=2011 |title=Habitat preferences and activity patterns of the larger mammal community in Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia |journal=The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology |volume=59 |issue=2 |pages=311–318}} and in Central Cardamom Mountains National Park, Southern Cardamom National Park, Botum Sakor National Park and Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary between 2012 and 2016.{{cite journal |author1=Gray, T.N. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Billingsley, A. |author3=Crudge, B. |author4=Frechette, J.L. |author5=Grosu, R. |author6=Herranz-Muñoz, V. |author7=Holden, J. |author8=Keo, O. |author9=Kong, K. |author10=Macdonald, D. |author11=Neang, T. |year=2017 |title=Status and conservation significance of ground-dwelling mammals in the Cardamom Rainforest Landscape, southwestern Cambodia |journal=Cambodian Journal of Natural History |volume=2017 |issue=1 |pages=38–48}} In Peninsular Malaysia, it was recorded in Taman Negara National Park, Ulu Muda Forest, Pasoh Forest Reserve, Belum-Temengor, Temengor Forest Reserve and in a few linkages between 2009 and 2015.{{cite journal |last1=Tan |first1=C. K. W. |last2=Rocha |first2=D. G. |last3=Clements |first3=G. R. |last4=Brenes-Mora, E. |last5=Hedges, L. |last6=Kawanishi, K. |last7=Mohamad, S. W. |last8=Rayan, D. M. |last9=Bolongon, G. |last10=Moore, J. |last11=Wadey, J. |name-list-style=amp |year=2017 |title=Habitat use and predicted range for the mainland clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa in Peninsular Malaysia |journal=Biological Conservation |volume=206 |pages=65–74 |doi=10.1016/j.biocon.2016.12.012 |bibcode=2017BCons.206...65T |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311954581}}

The last confirmed record of a Formosan clouded leopard dates to 1989, when the skin of a young individual was found in the Taroko National Park.{{cite journal |last1=Anonymous |year=1996 |title=The mystery of the Formosan clouded leopard |journal=Cat News |volume=24 |page=16}} It was not recorded during an extensive camera trapping survey conducted from 1997 to 2012 in more than 1,450 sites inside and outside Taiwanese protected areas.{{cite journal |last1=Chiang |first1=P. J. |last2=Pei |first2=K. J. C. |last3=Vaughan |first3=M. R. |last4=Li |first4=C. F. |last5=Chen |first5=M. T. |last6=Liu |first6=J. N. |last7=Lin |first7=C. Y. |last8=Lin |first8=L. K. |last9=Lai |first9=Y. C. |name-list-style=amp |year=2015 |title=Is the clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa extinct in Taiwan, and could it be reintroduced? An assessment of prey and habitat |journal=Oryx |volume=49 |issue=2 |pages=261–269 |doi=10.1017/S003060531300063X |doi-access=free}}

Behaviour and ecology

File:Nimbus-0975.jpg, Texas, US]]

The clouded leopard is a solitary cat. Early accounts depict it as a rare, secretive, arboreal, and nocturnal inhabitant of dense primary forest.

It is one of the most talented climbers among the cats. Captive clouded leopards have been observed to climb down vertical tree trunks head first, and hang on to branches with their hind paws bent around branchings of tree limbs. They are capable of supination and can hang down from branches only by bending their hind paws and their tail around them. They can jump up to {{cvt|1.2|m}} high.{{cite journal |last1=Hemmer |first1=H. |year=1968 |title=Untersuchungen zur Stammesgeschichte der Pantherkatzen (Pantherinae) II: Studien zur Ethologie des Nebelparders Neofelis nebulosa (Griffith 1821) und des Irbis Uncia uncia (Schreber 1775) |trans-title=Researching the phylogenetic history of the Pantherinae II: Studies into the ethology of the clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa and snow leopard Uncia uncia|journal=Veröffentlichungen der Zoologischen Staatssammlung München |volume=12 |pages=155–247 |url=https://archive.org/stream/verfentlichungen121968zool#page/n209/mode/2up}}

They use trees as daytime rest sites, but also spend time on the ground when hunting at night. Captive clouded leopards have been observed to scent mark by spraying urine and rubbing their heads on prominent objects.

Their vocalisations include a short high-pitched meow call, a loud crying call, both emitted when a cat is trying to locate another one over a long or short distance; they prusten and raise their muzzle when meeting each other in a friendly manner; when aggressive, they growl with a low-pitched sound and hiss with exposed teeth and wrinkled nose.{{cite thesis |last=Fazio, J. M. |year=2010 |title=Behavioral Assessment of the Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa); A Comparative Study of Reproductive Success |type=MSc |location=Fairfax, VA |publisher=George Mason University}}

Radio-collared clouded leopards were foremost active by night but also showed crepuscular activity peaks.

Clouded leopards recorded in northeast India were most active in the late evening after sunset.

Home ranges have only been estimated in Thailand:

Four individuals were radio-collared in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary from April 2000 to February 2003. Home ranges of two females were {{cvt|25.7|km2}} and {{cvt|22.9|km2}}, and of two males {{cvt|29.7|km2}} and {{cvt|49.1|km2}}.
Two individuals were radio-collared during a study from 1997 to 1999 in the Khao Yai National Park. The home range of one female was {{cvt|39.4|km2}}, of the one male {{cvt|42|km2}}. Both individuals had a core area of {{cvt|2.9|km2}}.{{cite journal |last1=Austin |first1=S. C. |last2=Tewes |first2=M. E. |name-list-style=amp |year=1999 |title=Ecology of the clouded leopard in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand |journal=Cat News |issue=31 |pages=17–18 }}

In 2016, clouded leopards were detected in the forest complex of Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary and Khao Sok National Park during camera trapping surveys; 15 individuals were identified in a core zone of {{cvt|200|km2}} with population density estimated at 5.06 individuals per {{cvt|100|km2}}; but only 12 individuals were identified in an edge zone of {{cvt|297|km2}}, which is more disturbed by humans, with density estimated at 3.13 individuals per {{cvt|100|km2}}.{{cite journal |author1=Petersen, W. J. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Steinmetz, R. |author3=Sribuarod, K. |author4=Ngoprasert, D. |year=2020 |title=Density and movements of mainland clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) under conditions of high and low poaching pressure |journal=Global Ecology and Conservation |volume=23 |issue= |pages=e01117 |doi=10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01117 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2020GEcoC..2301117P }}

= Hunting and diet =

When hunting, the clouded leopard stalks its prey or waits for the prey to approach. After making and feeding on a kill, it usually retreats into trees to digest and rest. Its prey includes both arboreal and terrestrial vertebrates.

Pocock presumed that it is adapted for preying upon herbivorous mammals of considerable bulk because of its powerful build, long canines and the deep penetration of its bites. In Thailand, clouded leopards have been observed preying on southern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina),{{cite journal |last=Davies, R.G. |year=1990 |title=Sighting of a clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) in a troop of pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina) in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand |journal=Siam Society Natural History Bulletin |volume=38 |pages=95–96}} Indian hog deer (Axis porcinus), Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis), Asiatic brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus macrourus), Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica) and Berdmore's ground squirrel (Menetes berdmorei). Known prey species in China include barking deer (Muntiacus sp.) and pheasants.{{cite journal |last1=Feng |first1=L. |last2=Lin |first2=L. |last3=Zhang |first3=L. |last4=Wang |first4=L. |last5=Wang |first5=B. |last6=Luo |first6=A. |last7=Yang |first7=S. |last8=Smith |first8 =J. L. D. |last9=Luo |first9=S. J. |last10=Zhang |first10=L. |name-list-style=amp |year=2008 |title=Evidence of wild tigers in southwest China – a preliminary survey of the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve |journal=Cat News |issue=48 |pages=4–6}}

In northern Peninsular Malaysia, a male clouded leopard was photographed while carrying a binturong (Arctictis binturong) in its jaws.{{cite journal |author1=Lam, W.Y. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Hedges, L. |author3=Clements, G.R. |year=2014 |title=First record of a clouded leopard predating on a binturong |journal=Cat News |issue=60 |page=16}}

=Reproduction and life cycle=

File:Baby clouded leopard!.jpg

Both males and females average 26 months at first reproduction. The female is in estrus for about six days, with her estrous cycle lasting about 30 days. In the wild, mating usually occurs between December and March. The pair mates multiple times over the course of several days. The male grasps the female by the neck who responds with vocalization. Occasionally, he also bites her during courtship and is very aggressive during sexual encounters. Females can bear one litter each year. The male is not involved in raising the cubs.

The female gives birth to a litter of one to five, mostly three cubs, after a gestation period of 93 ± 6 days. Cubs are born with closed eyes and weigh from {{cvt|140|to|280|g}}. Their spots are solid dark, rather than dark rings. Their eyes open after about 10 days. They are active within five weeks and fully weaned at around three months of age. They attain the adult coat pattern at around six months and become independent after around 10 months.

Captive clouded leopards have an average lifespan of 11 years.{{cite journal |last1=Achariyo, L. N. |last2=Mishra, Ch. G. |name-list-style=amp |year=1981 |title=Some notes on the longevity of two species of Indian wild cats in captivity |journal=Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society |volume=78 |page=155 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/48228655#page/167/mode/1up |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802042929/https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/48228655#page/167/mode/1up |url-status=live}}

One individual has lived to be almost 17 years old.{{cite web |title=Clouded leopard |publisher=The Aspinall Foundation |url=http://www.aspinallfoundation.org/animals/small-cats/clouded-leopard |date= n.d. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418203716/http://aspinallfoundation.org/animals/small-cats/clouded-leopard |archive-date=2014-04-18 |url-status=live}}

The generation length of the clouded leopard is about seven years.{{cite journal |title=Generation length for mammals |author1=Pacifici, M. |author2=Santini, L. |author3=Di Marco, M. |author4=Baisero, D. |author5=Francucci, L. |author6=Grottolo Marasini, G. |author7=Visconti, P. |author8=Rondinini, C. |name-list-style=amp |journal=Nature Conservation |year=2013 |volume=5 |issue=5 |pages=87–94 |doi=10.3897/natureconservation.5.5734 |doi-access=free}}

Threats

File:Clouded leopard coat (1).jpg

Clouded leopard require larger areas of intact forest than are present in many parts of their range.{{cite journal |last1=Wilting |first1=A. |last2=Fischer |first2=F. |last3=Bakar |first3=S.A. |last4=Linsenmair |first4=K.E. |name-list-style=amp |year=2006 |title=Clouded leopards, the secretive top-carnivore of South-East Asian rainforests: their distribution, status and conservation needs in Sabah, Malaysia |journal=BMC Ecology |volume=6 |issue=16 |pages=1–13 |doi=10.1186/1472-6785-6-16 |pmid=17092347 |doi-access=free |pmc=1654139}} They are threatened by habitat loss following large–scale deforestation and commercial poaching for the wildlife trade. In Myanmar, 301 body parts of at least 279 clouded leopards, mostly skins and skeletons, were observed in four markets surveyed between 1991 and 2006, despite the protected status of clouded leopards in Myanmar. Some markets are located near Myanmar's borders with China and Thailand and are used to facilitate cross-border smuggling.{{cite report |author=Shepherd, C. R. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Nijman, V. |year=2008 |title=The wild cat trade in Myanmar |location=Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia |publisher=TRAFFIC Southeast Asia |url=https://www.traffic.org/site/assets/files/4076/wild_cat_trade_myanmar.pdf |access-date=20 December 2020 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123141416/https://www.traffic.org/site/assets/files/4076/wild_cat_trade_myanmar.pdf |url-status=live }}

In Nepal, 27 cases of clouded leopard body parts were discovered between November 1988 and March 2020 in nine districts of the country, comprising at least 51 individual clouded leopards. In 17 of these cases, the poachers and traders were arrested.{{cite journal |last1=Ghimirey |first1=Y. |last2=Acharya |first2=R. |name-list-style=amp |year=2020 |title=Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa (Grifth, 1821) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in illegal wildlife trade in Nepal |journal=Journal of Threatened Taxa |volume=12 |issue=16 |pages=17229–17234 |doi=10.11609/jott.6504.12.16.17229-17234 |s2cid=230543392 |doi-access=}}

Conservation

File:Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa Indomalaya toronto zoo jan 08 1.jpg]]

The clouded leopard is listed in CITES Appendix I. Hunting is banned in Bangladesh, China, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.{{cite book |chapter=Clouded Leopard |title=Wild Cats: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan |first1= K.|last1= Nowell |first2=P. |last2=Jackson |name-list-style=amp |year=1996 |publisher=IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group |location=Gland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603080035/http://lynx.uio.no/lynx/catsgportal/cat-website/catfolk/nebul01.htm |archive-date=3 June 2007 |chapter-url=http://lynx.uio.no/lynx/catsgportal/cat-website/catfolk/nebul01.htm}} These bans, however, are poorly enforced in India, Malaysia and Thailand.{{cite report |author=Nowell, K. |year=2007 |title=Asian big cat conservation and trade control in selected range States: evaluating implementation and effectiveness of CITES Recommendations |publisher=TRAFFIC |location=Kuala Lumpur |url=http://www.felidae.org/KNOWELLPUBL/abc_report.pdf |access-date=9 October 2010 |archive-date=3 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003085117/http://www.felidae.org/KNOWELLPUBL/abc_report.pdf |url-status=live}}{{failed verification|date=January 2024}}

In the United States, the clouded leopard is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, prohibiting trade in live animals or body parts.

International Clouded Leopard Day is celebrated each year on 4 August since 2018 in zoos and conservation organizations all over the world.{{Cite web |title=International Clouded Leopard Day |website=The Aspinall Foundation |access-date=2019-08-05 |url=https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/icld/ |archive-date=5 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805182445/https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/icld/ |url-status=live}}

= In captivity =

File:Neofelis nebulosa.jpg]]

Clouded leopards have been kept in zoos since the early 20th century. The international studbook was initiated in the 1970s. Coordinated breeding programs were started in the 1980s and encompass the European Endangered Species Programme, the Species Survival Plan, and the Indian Conservation Breeding Programme. As of 2014, 64 institutions keep clouded leopards.{{cite book |author=Wildlife Institute of India |year=2014 |title=National Studbook of Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). TR. No. -2014/ 010 |location=New Delhi |publisher=Central Zoo Authority |chapter=Status in captivity |page=5 |url=http://cza.nic.in/uploads/documents/studbooks/english/Clouded%20Leopard%20_updated.pdf |access-date=11 May 2019 |archive-date=11 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511081834/http://cza.nic.in/uploads/documents/studbooks/english/Clouded%2520Leopard%2520_updated.pdf |url-status=live}}

Early captive-breeding programs involving clouded leopards were not successful, largely due to ignorance of their courtship behaviour. Males have the reputation of being aggressive towards females. For breeding success, it has been deemed extremely important that male and female clouded leopards are compatible. Introducing pairs at a young age gives them opportunities to bond and breed successfully. Facilities breeding clouded leopards need to provide the female with a secluded, off-exhibit area. There has been some recent captive breeding success using artificial insemination with cubs successfully born in 1992, 2015 and 2017.{{Cite web|date=2017|title=First Clouded Leopard Cub Produced with Cryopreserved Semen|url=https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/first-clouded-leopard-cub-produced-cryopreserved-semen|access-date=2020-11-01|website=Smithsonian's National Zoo|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022014407/https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/first-clouded-leopard-cub-produced-cryopreserved-semen|url-status=live}}

A study on morbidity and mortality rate of 271 captive clouded leopards across 44 zoos in Europe, Asia and Australia showed that 17% of them died because of respiratory disease, 12% due to maternal neglect and starvation, 10% from generalized infectious disease, 10% from digestive diseases, and 10% from trauma.{{Cite journal |author1=Thorel, M. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Pignon, C. |author3=Pascal A. |author4=Donnelly, T.M. |author5=Rivière, J. |year=2020 |title=Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) morbidity and mortality in captive-bred populations: A comprehensive retrospective study of medical data from 271 individuals in European, Asian, and Australian zoos |journal=Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine |volume=51 |issue=1 |pages=150–158 |doi=10.1638/2019-0048 |doi-access= |pmid=32212558|s2cid=213184824 }}

In March 2011, two breeding females at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere gave birth to three cubs, which were raised by zookeepers. Each cub weighed {{cvt|0.5|lb|kg|order=flip}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.livescience.com/30302-clouded-leopard-cubs-born-110406.html |title=Cute! Clouded Leopard Cubs Born at Nashville Zoo |date=2011 |website=LiveScience |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003225515/http://www.livescience.com/30302-clouded-leopard-cubs-born-110406.html |archive-date=2014-10-03 |url-status=live}} In June 2011, two cubs were born at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The breeding pair was brought from the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand in an ongoing education and research exchange program.{{cite web |url=http://www.pdza.org/page.php?id=503 |title=Welcome Our New Clouded Leopard Cubs |date=2011 |website=Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627215101/http://www.pdza.org/page.php?id=503}} Four cubs were born at Nashville Zoo in 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2012/03/the_nashville_zoo_celebrates_t.html |title=The Nashville Zoo celebrates two sets of clouded leopard cubs |website=Associated Press |date=2012 |archive-date=2013-06-03 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603123518/http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2012/03/the_nashville_zoo_celebrates_t.html}} In May 2015, four cubs were born in Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/special-reports/2015/0522/702996-clouded-leopards-zoo/ |title=Four extremely rare leopards born in US zoo |website=RTÉ |date=2015 |access-date=23 May 2015 |archive-date=24 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524223015/http://www.rte.ie/news/special-reports/2015/0522/702996-clouded-leopards-zoo/ |url-status=live}}

In culture

The clouded leopard is the state animal of the Indian state of Meghalaya.{{cite web |url=http://www.frienvis.nic.in/KidsCentre/State-Animals-Birds-Trees-Flowers-of-India_1500.aspx |title=State Animals, Birds, Trees and Flowers of India |website=ENVIS RP on Forestry and Forest Related Livelihoods, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India |date=2011 |access-date=2017-06-07 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308180415/http://www.frienvis.nic.in/KidsCentre/State-Animals-Birds-Trees-Flowers-of-India_1500.aspx |url-status=live}} In the 1970s, the print of Rama Samaraweera's painting Clouded leopard was a best-seller in the US.{{cite web|title=DZG inspired acclaimed artist|url=https://www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/dzg-inspired-acclaimed-artist/ |access-date=6 September 2016 |archive-date=5 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305050500/http://www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/dzg-inspired-acclaimed-artist/|url-status=live}}

References

External links

{{cite web |url=http://www.catsg.org/index.php?id=116 |title=Mainland clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa |website=IUCN Species Survival Commission Cat Specialist Group}}
{{cite magazine |url= http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/clouded-leopard.html|title= Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa |magazine= National Geographic |archive-date= 2012-02-24 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120224232054/http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/clouded-leopard.html}}
{{cite news |url= https://focustaiwan.tw/society/201304300027|title=Taiwan's clouded leopard extinct: zoologists |date=2013 |newspaper=Focus Taiwan}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.aboutanimals.com/mammal/clouded-leopard/ |title=Clouded Leopard: Facing Dark Clouds of Extinction |website=About Animals|date=20 June 2016 }}