Photo credited to David Ronaldson

Today’s focus is on the Clouded Leopard, also known as Neofelis nebulosa. Another species from the Cat family, the Clouded Leopard is significant because of its coat, which is marked with large irregularly-shaped, dark-edged ellipses that looked like clouds, thus its name. At about 22.7kg, the Clouded Leopard is not a big cat, with its size about 2-3ft.

The distribution map of the Clouded Leopard shows the origin of this species which is found mainly in southern China, the eastern Himalayas, north-east India and mainland Southeast Asia. The population is estimated at below 10000 mature breeding individuals (IUCN 2005) thus putting it under the ‘Threatened‘ or ‘Vulnerable‘ group of animals. The population’s decline is said to be due to widespread deforestation and hunting for use in Chinese medicinal preparations.

It is not too late to help the Cloud Leopard’s population grow again! On very practical thing all travellers should do is, before purchasing anything abroad, ask what it is made of. Do not buy products made of Cloud Leopard skins or herbs that contain it. Likewise to all other animals that are endangered.

a4trip is featuring Cloud Leopard in the Malacca Travel Guide, and part of that total sales will donate to Cloud Leopard conservation project. You can also make a direct contribution to organisations that are involved in Conservation of the Cloud Leopard, such as WWF Malaysia, Melaka Zoo and Wild Asia.