In News:

A rare video recently shared by Indian Forest Service officer Susanta Nanda offered a rare glimpse into the secretive life of the clouded leopard (Neofelisnebulosa), showcasing a mother with her cubs in the rainforests of Northeast India. The sighting highlights the critical conservation importance of this elusive and endangered species.

About the Clouded Leopard

• Scientific name:Neofelisnebulosa (mainland Asia); Neofelisdiardi (Sunda clouded leopard, Sumatra & Borneo).
• Classification: Among the most ancient cat species; neither a true “great cat” nor a small cat — cannot roar or purr.
• Size: Medium-sized (60–110 cm long; 11–20 kg); lifespan ~13–17 years.
• Distinctive features:
  • Named for large “cloud-like” coat patterns (ellipses with dark edges).
  • Exceptionally long tail (often body-length) for balance.
  • Long canine teeth, proportionally the same size as those of a tiger.
  • Broad paws and short legs, making it an agile climber; one of the only cats that can climb down trees headfirst, hang upside down, and hunt arboreally.
• Behaviour: Solitary, shy, and nocturnal.

Distribution and Habitat

• Found across Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Indochina, Sumatra, Borneo, and southern China (historically also Taiwan).
• In India: Present in Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Declared the State Animal of Meghalaya.
• Habitat preference: Lowland tropical rainforests, but also found in dry woodlands, secondary forests, high altitudes in the Himalayas, and even mangrove swamps (Borneo).

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List:Vulnerable.
• Global wild population:fewer than 10,000 individuals.
• Threats:
  • Habitat loss (deforestation, infrastructure expansion).
  • Poachingfor pelts and body parts.
  • Human-wildlife conflict.

Conservation Significance

• Rare sightings, such as the video from Northeast India, underscore the species’ ecological and cultural importance.
• Conservationists stress the need for:
  • Habitat protection through transboundary wildlife corridors.
  • Strengthening protected areas across Northeast India.
  • Community participation to reduce conflict and safeguard prey base.