Leopards in the clouds

Deep in the fog-drenched forests of Nepal lives the clouded leopard, a cat so mysterious, so rare and elusive, that it is thought to be a creature of myth.  

Known as धुवाँसे चितुवा, the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is named for its unique cloud-like fur pattern distinctly different from a tiger’s stripes, or a leopard’s spots. Its coat is a perfect camouflage for the underbrush of Himalayan cloud forests.

It hunts stealthily by night, has strong limbs and flexible ankles allowing it to climb and descend trees with ease. Many Nepalis, including villagers who live close to the habitat of this enigmatic species of cat, do not even know it exists. 

The clouded leopard was once thought to be extinct in Nepal, but was rediscovered in 1987, and since then it has been sighted in regions ranging from eastern Tarai’s lowland forests to the subtropical hills of western Nepal at elevations between 301m to 3,498m. 

But unlike the tigers and rhinos in Nepal’s plains, or the snow leopards that stalk the Himalaya, the clouded leopard rarely makes headlines or draws public attention. 

The clouded leopard is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and protected under CITES Appendix I. It is found in dense tropical, sub-tropical and temperate forests of south and south-east Asia. 

In Nepal, sightings in previously undocumented areas like Sunsari, Udayapur, and Jhapa suggest the cat may be more widespread than previously thought. Most of what experts know about these cats comes from chance sightings or camera traps in protected areas. 

In 2018, an amateur photographer sighted a clouded leopard in Sunsari, making it the first ever non camera-trap photograph of a wild clouded leopard in the country.

Indeed, vast regions within their habitat range remain unsurveyed, and there’s no comprehensive data on clouded leopards since no census to determine its number has ever been conducted. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) estimates a population range of 300 to 400 clouded leopards in Nepal.

“Despite its relatively wide habitat distribution, the clouded leopard remains one of Nepal’s least studied wild cats,” says Karan Shah, wildlife researcher and educator.

Globally, clouded leopards have lost 34% of high-quality habitat and nearly 20% of moderately suitable areas across their habitat range between 2000 and 2018.  

In Nepal, the forests that clouded leopards depend on are being cleared for roads, agriculture, and other development work, much of this habitat loss occurring outside protected zones.

The expansion of roads and human settlements has led not just to habitat destruction, but has also opened the door to human wildlife conflict and poaching.

Between 2006 and 2020, at least 26 clouded leopard pelts were confiscated across Nepal with seizures reported in nine districts including Dang, Kanchanpur, Kathmandu and and Taplejung. The clouded leopard’s pelt and bones are traded illegally for decoration and traditional medicine while live animals are sold in the black market as exotic pets.

These numbers may seem small in comparison to the figures of other endangered animals, but it is deeply concerning given how rare and elusive the species is. Experts say the data likely represents only a fraction of illegal activity involving clouded leopards due to the lack of active monitoring of the species.

Clouded leopards feed on monkeys, rodents, and deer. And although these cats, unlike other carnivores, avoid human settlements, they are known to feed on livestock in rare cases, especially as the destruction of their habitat has affected their prey density. 

“It is rarely in direct conflict with humans and is not usually a target for persecution. Yet, it suffers indirectly from habitat degradation, forest fires, trapping, and carcass poisoning, activities often aimed at other species or driven by broader environmental pressure,” says Shah. 

But despite the challenges, there have been some improvements in conservation efforts. Improved technology and survey efforts have helped researchers detect the presence of clouded leopards in new areas. 

However, awareness and policy must catch up. To protect the species, Nepal needs long-term research, camera trap studies, genetic monitoring, and community-based conservation efforts. A systematic nationwide survey is urgently needed to establish the species' true population and distribution.

And perhaps most importantly, there needs to be just as much dedicated attention directed towards the conservation of clouded leopards that has been demonstrated towards rhinos and tigers so that there can be similar success in preserving the species.

Saving the clouded leopard is not just about protecting a rare species, but also preserving the forests that filter our air, protect our water, and support countless other wildlife. 

But without accurate population data or understanding of their habitat needs, there is a risk of losing the species forever.