Clouded Leopard

On the occasion of International Clouded Leopard Day, India reaffirmed its commitment to conserving one of Asia’s most elusive wild cats through the newly launched Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan (CAP).

About Clouded Leopard

The Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a wild cat that inhabits dense forests extending from the Himalayas through mainland Southeast Asia to southern China. It is known for its distinctive cloud-like markings and its ability to climb trees.

Species of Clouded Leopard

There are two recognised species of clouded leopards. The mainland clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is found in mainland Southeast Asia, while the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) is found on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

Distribution

The clouded leopard is distributed from Nepal, Bangladesh and India through Indochina to Sumatra and Borneo, and northeastward to southern China.

In India, it is found in Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Habitat

Clouded leopards primarily inhabit lowland tropical rainforests. However, they can also be found in dry woodlands and secondary forests. In Borneo, they occur in a variety of forest habitats.

Important Features

The clouded leopard derives its name from the distinctive cloud-like patterns on its coat, which consist of ellipses partially edged in black, with interiors darker than the surrounding fur.

It possesses an exceptionally long tail, which can be nearly as long as its body. The thick tail has black ring markings and helps the animal maintain balance while moving through trees.

Clouded leopards are arboreal and nocturnal, meaning they spend much of their time in trees and are primarily active at night.

Conservation Status

The clouded leopard is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan

Background

The Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan has been prepared under the Government of India–GEF–UNDP initiative. It provides a comprehensive framework for conserving the species through habitat protection, scientific monitoring and community participation.

Key Components of the Action Plan

Identification of Priority Conservation Landscapes

The plan identifies 14 priority conservation landscapes across Northeast India. It promotes landscape-scale habitat restoration and corridor conservation to strengthen connectivity between forest habitats.

Scientific Monitoring

The CAP provides for standardised scientific monitoring through camera traps, occupancy surveys, genetic studies and environmental DNA (eDNA). These methods help assess the distribution, population and habitat use of clouded leopards.

Community Participation

The action plan encourages the empowerment of local communities by involving them in conservation activities and promoting their participation in protecting clouded leopard habitats.

Transboundary Cooperation

The CAP also promotes transboundary cooperation with neighbouring range countries to facilitate coordinated conservation efforts across the species’ geographical range.