Like every year, August 4 commemorates the International Clouded Leopard Day 2024, an exotic feline that is very difficult to see, living in the most remote corners of Asia. Moreover, he is very reluctant to contact people, which makes it not easy to find him. Added to this is its incredible ability to blend in with the environment in which it lives.
Still, with all these ‘advantages’ in its favor, it is the International Clouded Leopard Day 2024 with the aim of protecting this species from human predation. Because they not only lose their habitat as a result of the changes taking place on their territory (construction of infrastructure, land conversion, deforestationurbanization, etc.) is a victim of poaching and persecution by farmers.
International Clouded Leopard Day 2024: in a state of vulnerability
The scientific name is Neofelis Nebula, but it is known as the clouded leopard, clouded leopard or long-leaping leopard. It is a species of feline that includes the genus Neofelis. Its population in the wild has been on a downward trend for years, although the impenetrable nature of the jungles where it lives makes it impossible to estimate the current number of individuals.
For this reason, the clouded leopard is considered a ‘vulnerable’ species and occurs as such in the IUCN Red List. Hunting of the species is banned in major countries where wild populations exist, such as Bangladesh, China, Nepal, India, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
The exception to this rule is Laos, where the capture of the Clouded Leopard is regulated. And only in Bhutan is there no form of protection for this feline. Since 1975, the clouded leopard has been included in Appendix I of CITES. As a result, international trade in this animal and its parts is prohibited. That was one of the objectives of the International Clouded Leopard Day 2024.
Loss of habitat
The biggest threat to the species is the reduction of its habitat, something we must take into account in the future. International Clouded Leopard Day 2024. The tropical forests of Southeast Asia are being systematically destroyed. Deforestation rates are among the highest in the world. In places like Thailand, almost half of the forest cover disappeared between 1960 and 2000.
But in the International Clouded Leopard Day 2024, Let’s not forget that many hydropower and road projects endanger the habitat of this feline. Adding to this very serious problem is forest shrinkage, which is increasing tensions with ranchers, whose animals are exposed to attacks from starving animals. That’s why the poisoned bait used to protect livestock ends countless lives of Clouded Leopards.
Poaching
The clouded leopard is a victim of poaching. Although capturing them is strictly prohibited, many parts of this feline’s body are resold at exorbitant prices. This illegal activity was one of the main causes of the Taiwanese subspecies’ disappearance Neofelis nebulosa brachyura. In fact, the clouded leopard is the third best-selling feline in South Asian markets.
In the International Clouded Leopard Day 2024 It is essential to remember that in many countries owning a clouded leopard skin is a status symbol. As of 1991, clouded leopard skin was the most common cat skin on the black market in Southeast Asia. And the main buyers were the Taiwanese.
The bones, teeth and claws of the clouded leopard are used in traditional Chinese medicine. In fact, it is considered the ideal replacement for the tiger. In China, clouded leopard body parts are even openly sold in some markets. And that includes living specimens, especially offspring, which are considered excellent pets and add prestige to their owners.