Clouded leopards are two species of wild cat that live throughout the forests of Southeast Asia. The smallest of the big cats, they are secretive and rare in the wild, preferring to remain alone and hidden from view. Because of this, studying them is a unique challenge, and while we know much from watching cats in captivity, these two species of cat remain elusive and poorly understood.
While all species of cats are closely related and classified as one family, the Felidae, genetic research has shown the clouded leopard to be more closely related to the large cat species than smaller cats. Thus. Clouded leopards are considered a member of the Pantherinae - a subfamily of the Felidae family that also includes lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, and snow leopards. While they are known as clouded leopards, cloudies are not directly related to normal leopards.
Due to habitat disturbance, the clouded leopard and its prey are targeted by both commercial and subsistence hunters. Because larger wild cat species such as tigers and leopards have mostly been hunted out of their range, clouded leopards are increasingly becoming the targets of commercial poachers seeking their skins, bones, and meat. In one Myanmar market monitored by the conservation group Wildlife Alliance, the number of clouded leopard pelts has increased by 200% in just two years. Many of these products end up being purchased by consumers seeking traditional medicines and exotic fashions in the booming economy of China.
The clouded leopard population is unfortunately declining, making it vulnerable to extinction. To help conserve this amazing species we can spread the word about these cats, sign petitions that are in favor of the cats, donate for their research and conservation and educate friends, family and acquaintances that clouded leopard bones and teeth have no medicinal value.
You can donate at https://www.wildlifealliance.org/clouded-leopard/ and https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/species-adoptions/clouded-leopard.aspx
Written by Amrit Srivastava and Art by Aayush Goraik Rathaur
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