It is Leopard – A Clouded Leopard

It is not a normal leopard which raids areas near its habitat all over India. But a rare, clouded leopard was spotted for the first time in the community forest of Nagaland. Named for its spotted coat, this cat species has largely remained hidden, until now. The animal, known to inhabit low elevation primary evergreen rainforests of Himalayas, was spotted at an altitude of 3,700 meters along the Indo-Myanmar border. The images captured in the camera trap laid by researchers confirm the highest records ever of a clouded leopard in India. It has large dusky-grey blotches and irregular spots and stripes reminiscent of clouds.

Known to be avid climbers, the best in their class, clouded leopards have short, powerful legs equipped with rotating rear ankles. This makes them capable of not just climbing up fast but also hanging upside down using their large paws and sharp claws. According to National Geographic, scientists believe that they do most of their hunting on the ground, feasting on deer, pigs, monkeys, and smaller fare such as squirrels or birds.

Their large canines help in hunting, however, evidence about their behaviour in the wild remains to be seen. This species is found in Asia from the rain forests of Indonesia to the foothills of the Himalayas. They are considered a vulnerable species and little is known about their population size.

The findings have been published in the Winter 2021 issue of the Cat News, a biannual newsletter by the IUCN/Species Survival Commission (SSC) Cat Specialist Group. The research was led by a Delhi-based Non-Profit Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) in the 65 square kilometer wide forests. It rests in trees during the day and hunts by night on the forest floor.

Its total population is suspected to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with a decreasing population trend, and no single population numbering more than 1,000 adults. It has therefore been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2008. The population is threatened by large–scale deforestation and commercial poaching for the wildlife trade. Its body parts are offered for decoration and clothing, though it is legally protected in most countries.

Source: Himalayan News Chronicle