CLOUDED LEOPARD (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: During a recent event marking International Clouded Leopard Day, the Mizoram governor highlighted the critical challenges facing wildlife conservation.

Clouded Leopard

• Habitat: Inhabits dense forests of the Himalayas through mainland Southeast Asia into South China.
• Species: Includes the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) and the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi).
• Life Span: 12 to 15 years
• Geographic Range: Found in southern China, Bhutan, Nepal, northeast India, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Bangladesh.

o 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. 

o In Pakke Tiger Reserve, a clouded leopard was photographed in semi-evergreen forest.

• Preferred Environments: Primarily tropical evergreen rainforests but also found in dry tropical forests and mangrove swamps.
• Altitude: In the Himalayas, it is found at relatively high altitudes.
• Presence in India: Located in Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• State Animal: Recognized as the State animal of Meghalaya.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Both species are classified as ‘Vulnerable’.