The rare leopard species that has been absent from Taiwan since 1983 shows signs of revival, opening up hope for conservation experts.
The Formosan clouded leopard is an endemic animal in Taiwan. Photo: IFL Science.
The Formosan clouded leopard is an endemic animal in Taiwan. Photo: IFL Science.
The Formosan clouded leopard, also known as the Taiwanese clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa brachyura), is a subspecies of the clouded leopard, an endemic animal on the island of Taiwan, according to IFL Science. Because it has not appeared in the wild since 1983, this leopard was declared extinct in 2013.
However, according to Taiwan News, scholars are hesitant to remove the clouded leopard from the endangered animal list due to some cases of encounters with the animal. Park rangers reported seeing clouded leopards hunting goats on cliffs in Dat Nhan commune, Taitung district. Several villagers reported seeing another individual near the scooter park before it disappeared up a tree.
Kao Cheng-chi, director of the Austronesian Community College Development Association and village chief of the Paiwan tribe, confirmed that rangers have set up a patrol team around Alangyi village since June last year to search for traces of leopards. cloud. The clouded leopard is a symbol of conservation work in Taiwan and the mascot of the Paiwan tribe. Villagers also held meetings to prevent outside hunters from hurting the animals.
Clouded leopards have cloud-shaped spots on their bodies. Their canine teeth are larger than those of other cats. They are good at climbing and agile like squirrels or South American wild cats. They specialize in hunting large mammals that live on the ground and in trees such as gibbons, pig-tailed macaques, deer, porcupines, and cattle. Clouded leopards often grab prey by jumping from trees. The preferred habitats are tropical and subtropical forests
Previously, animal experts from the US and Taiwan had searched for the Formosan clouded leopard since 2001, but they did not see any individuals. To search for them, they installed about 1,500 infrared cameras and scent traps on the mountains in Taiwan.
