Threats to Clouded Leopards

Deforestation is the foremost threat, although the seriousness depends upon further study of the species’ tolerance of various degrees of forest clearance (Rabinowitz et al. 1987).

Secondly, the clouded leopard is widely hunted for its teeth and decorative pelt, and for bones for the traditional Asian medicinal trade. Clouded leopard pelts were the most commonly available felid pelts in a survey of black market wildlife traders in south-eastern China (Low 1991). Taiwanese were the main buyers.

In Taiwan, where clouded leopards are now either very rare or extinct, Nowell (1990) reported that small numbers of pelts are sold to aborigines to make traditional ceremonial jackets.

Pelts have also been reported on sale in urban markets from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal and Thailand (Salter 1983, Chazee 1990, Humphrey and Bain 1990, MacKinnon 1990, Van Gruisen and Sinclair 1992; R. Salter, TRAFFIC South-East Asia in litt. 1993).

Clouded leopards have been featured on the menu of restaurants in Thailand and China which cater to wealthy Asian tourists (Anon. 1988).

^{References available from IUCN Cat Specialist Group}