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Sundaland Clouded Leopard: Surveys and habitat research, Malaysia Clouded Leopard

Sundaland clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi) are medium-sized wild cats found in forests on the islands of Borneo (Indonesia and Malaysia) and Sumatra (Indonesia). Due to their shy and elusive nature, little is known about them in the wild. High levels of deforestation on their native islands are a particular threat to these leopards. Numbers of clouded leopards are thought to be declining but further research is needed to confirm this and establish population size estimates.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of selective logging and forest composition on the distribution and abundance of Sundaland clouded leopards in Sabah, Malaysia. This research is important because most of the habitat left on Borneo for clouded leopards is in commercial reserves where logging occurs. A network of camera traps, as well as daily and night transect surveys, will provide information about the presence/abundance of these carnivores. After the field work, GIS and remote sensing techniques will be used to model suitable habitats for Sundaland clouded leopards and researchers will evaluate their distribution for an effective conservation management plan. Photo: Clouded leopard

This project received funding in 2007 from the Ulysses S. Seal Conservation Grant Program to purchase camera traps. Staff champion for this project was Martha Caron, Conservation Biologist.

For more information, visit: http://www.cloudedleopard.org/thailand.htm