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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.

Today, the clouded leopard is locally extinct in Singapore, Taiwan,

and possibly Hainan Island. Its total population is suspected to be
fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with a decreasing population
trend, and no single population numbering more than 1,000 adults. It
is therefore 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.
 LOCATION AND
HABITAT
 The clouded leopard occurs from the Himalayan foothills in
Nepal, Bhutan and India to Myanmar, southeastern
Bangladesh, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, to south of the
Yangtze River in China. It is regionally extinct in Singapore
and Taiwan, and potentially Hainan Island.

 In India, it occurs in Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Meghalaya

subtropical forests, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland
and Arunachal Pradesh. In Pakke Tiger Reserve, a clouded leopard
was photographed for the first time in India. 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. The Green Part:
Location where Clouded
Leopards are found
“Clouded Leopard is the State
Animal of Meghalaya”
 CHARACTERISTICS

 These leopards are called

“Clouded” because of the
pattern of the spots on their
midsection.
 These spots tend to be more
solid around the paws, tail
and face.
 These leopards are the
smallest member of the “Big
Cat” classification.

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.

Poaching and illegal wildlife trade

The clouded leopard is widely hunted for its teeth and decorative pelt, and
for bones for the traditional Asian medicinal trade. Clouded leopard pelts
have been reported on sale in markets in China, Burma, Laos, Vietnam,
Cambodia, Nepal and Thailand. They have also been featured on the menu
of restaurants in Thailand and China which cater to wealthy Asian tourists.

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.

What is Meghalaya doing to protect Clouded Leopards?

Meghalaya is taking steps to protect endangered Clouded Leopard which
was listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN). Meghalaya Wildlife Officials have taken steps to protect the
habitats of the Clouded Leopard and their captive breeding. The Indian
Olympic Association is considering holding the 39th National Games in
Meghalaya in 2023 and the Meghalaya State Animal ‘Clouded Leopard’ has
been chosen as the mascot for the National Games. Besides the
governmental steps, Meghalaya Forest Official are trying to make people
conscious about the significance of the conservation of the endangered
Clouded Leopard.