The Taiwanese Clouded Leopard appears after 30 years after being declared extinct.
by Shashi Dhar
The last sighting of the Taiwan clouded leopard dates from 1983
In the vast and diverse expanse of our planet, there remain many unexplored territories, teeming with life that we are yet to discover. Despite the advancements in technology, new species of fauna and flora are discovered every year, a testament to the Earth’s wildness. It is this wildness that makes it challenging to declare a species as endangered or extinct. However, the recent resurgence of the Taiwanese Clouded Leopard, a species once declared extinct, has ignited a beacon of hope for biodiversity and conservation efforts worldwide.
The Taiwanese Clouded Leopard, declared extinct in 1990, is a majestic big cat known for its sharp predatory instinct, remarkable agility, and speed. It is characterized by the mesmerizing pattern on its back, a stark contrast to its African relatives with black polka dots. The Clouded Leopard has large spots with different shades and gradients of their natural fur color, making it a unique spectacle in the wild.
In the years leading up to its declaration of extinction, several preservation teams tried to capture images or videos of this elusive creature in the wild. The last sighting had been in 1983, and after years of fruitless searching, hope of seeing this beautiful animal in its natural habitat dwindled. However, in 2019, explorers reported sightings of several specimens in a remote forest in Taiwan, reigniting hope for the Clouded Leopard’s survival.
The Clouded Leopard, also known as the long-leaved leopard, has three slightly different subspecies, each living in a specific part of Asia. The “Neofelis nebulosa” resides in the mountainous areas between Nepal and Bhutan, the “Neofelis diardi” or “Sunda” is found only on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, and the “Neofelis nebulosa brachyura” is native to Taiwan. It is the latter that was recently sighted for the first time in decades.
Following the first sighting, rangers from Alangyi village in Taiwan conducted more exhaustive searches. In recent years, they claim to have seen more Clouded Leopards in the mountains of Daren in Taitung township. Taiwanese rural areas have tightened poaching laws to protect this species, and several international teams of scientists have resumed searches to locate the animal.
The Clouded Leopard is indeed a beautiful and elusive creature. They are masters of stealth, making them difficult to spot. However, the recent sightings have given us hope that this species, although critically endangered in Asia, continues to thrive on our planet. The story of the Clouded Leopard serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and the resilience of nature.
Cover image:- A yawning mainland clouded leopard demonstrates the longest relative canines and largest gape of any extant felid species (photograph by Christian Sperka Photography)
