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MEMORIAL
Line of Symmetry
DAVID SCOTT
MEMORIAL
STONE
Line of Symmetry
CLOUDED LEOPARD
ENDEMIC ANIMAL - MEGHALAYA
INTRODUCTION
The clouded leopard is a wild cat inhabiting dense forests from the foothills of the
Himalayas through mainland Southeast Asia into southern China. The first clouded
leopard known to science was brought to London from China in the early 19th
century and described in 1821. It has large dusky-grey blotches and irregular spots
and stripes forming a clouded pattern. Its head-and-body length ranges from 68.6 to
108 cm (27.0 to 42.5 in) with a 61 to 91 cm (24 to 36 in) 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.
Males Females
Torso Length 2.7’-3.6’ 2.25’-3’
Weight 40-51 pounds 33-40 pounds
Shoulder Height 9-16” 9-16”
REPRODUCTION
Both males and females average 26 months at first reproduction. Mating usually
occurs between December and March. Males tend to be very aggressive during
sexual encounters, and tend to bite the female on the neck during courtship, which
occasionally kills the female. With this in mind, male and female compatibility has
been deemed extremely important when attempting breeding in captivity. The pair
mates multiple times over the course of several days. The male grasps the female by
the neck, and the female responds with vocalization that encourages the male to
continue. The male then leaves, and is not involved in raising the kittens. Estrus lasts
six days on average, estrous cycle averages 30 days. After a gestation period of 93 ±
6 days, females give birth to a litter of one to five, mostly three cubs.
Initially, the young are blind and helpless, much like the young of many other cats,
and weigh from 140 to 280 g (4.9 to 9.9 oz). Unlike adults, the kittens' spots are
"solid“ - completely dark, rather than dark rings. The young can see within about
10 days of birth, are active within five weeks, and are 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. Females are able to bear one litter each year.
In captivity, they have an average lifespan of 11 years. One individual has lived to
be almost 17 years old. Generation length of the clouded leopard is about seven
years.
THREATS
Main Threats to the Clouded Leopard:
Habitat loss and defragmentation
Deforestation in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia is the most serious
threat to the clouded leopard. The species natural habitat has been
fragmented and decreasing at a rate of 10% per year since 1997.
Human-leopard conflict
Like many other big cat species the clouded leopard is often killed as
retaliation for killing livestock. Learn more about human-leopard
conflicts.
CONSERVATION
What can we do to help the Clouded Leopards?
The biggest threat to clouded leopard populations in the wild is
habitat loss, and one of the largest factors fueling the destruction of
the clouded leopard’s habitat is palm oil production. Palm oil and
its derivatives can be found in 50% of supermarket items, so as
consumers, we can help clouded leopards by showing companies
we prefer products made with sustainably produced palm oil.
-ENVIORNMENTAL ASECTS:
• BIO FARMIMING
• SLASH AND BURN AGRICULTURE
• JHOOM CULTIVATION
• ECO TOURISM
PEOPLE :
-ENVIORNMENTAL ASECTS:
• FARMING-
• BIO FARMING
• SLASH AND BURN FARMING
• DRIP IRRIGATION
• ECO TOURISM
TIBES AND THEIR CULTURE :