~Abstract.
The review is about researches that have been done concerning
the bio-geography of clouded leopards of Southeast Asia. It highlights on the
specific countries (Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, China and others) that the species
is found. The review mainly discusses the geology of the species and the
factors affecting its geographical distribution. Extinction being the biggest
problem has taken up most of the discussion.
Analysis on the various researches was done to identify the gap
in the research on the species. The species faces a risk of being extinct,
which might have implications for the ecosystem. The problems have been
discussed in details and various recommendations made to mitigate the problems.
Some researchers that have been presented provided new insight on the topic and
opened a different viewpoint on dealing with the problem of losing
biodiversity.
The review will be of help in further research on the subject
and also may be of help in making decisions concerning the issue at hand. The
review may be of help to other scholars because it provides lots of information
and clarity to the reader. It talks about a topic that affects the species
being discussed and many more species. Therefore, the solutions offered here
are not only applicable to the present case but on others too.
Introduction
Since 1986 the status of clouded leopard has been vulnerable
("Neofelis nebulosa (Clouded Leopard, Clouded Leopard)", 2016). However,
this was made official in 2008 when the ICUN published its status. The species
has been on the decline and if not checked would lead to extinction. The
clouded leopard is one the smallest of the big cats and seems to have a link of
evolution between the small and the big cats. The clouded leopards live in the
dense tropical forest of southeast Asian. In the past, the clouded leopard was
classified as one species, but the species was split from 2006 to the Sunda
clouded leopard found in Sumatra and Borne (Island) and clouded leopard found
on the mainland. Their scientific names are (Neofelis diardi) and (Neofelis
nebulosi) respectively. ("Clouded Leopard - Cats - Research Guides at
Harvard Library", 2016)
The clouded leopard is an elusive animal hence, focus on the
study of this animal have been difficult. Another disadvantage is that the
animal is nocturnal, and spends most of its daytime on trees. Study of the
animal, therefore, becomes difficult especially when there are no means of
tracking it down (Wilting et al., 2007). The cause of vulnerability of the
clouded leopard, however, has been attributed to the loss of habitat as a
result of deforestation and direct exploitation where they are killed for their
beautiful hide and for traditional medicine by the Chinese. ("Basic Facts
About Clouded Leopards", 2012)
This review is about the various countries in the Southeast Asia
and their efforts in protection of the clouded leopard in preventing the
extinction of this species. It also gives recommendations on areas where the
countries have failed to achieve the goal of protecting the species.
Thailand.
In Thailand poaching of endangered species is a consistent
problem. As mentioned earlier, the clouded leopard is hunted for its beautiful
pelt to be sold in a marketplace known as Chatuchak in Bangkok, the capital of
Thailand ("Thailand Clouded Leopard Consortium - National Zoo| FONZ,"
2016). To conserve this species, Dr.Lon Grassman was based in Phu Khieo since
1998 to 2002 conducting an ecological study of the endangered species.
The study involved capturing of a sample of clouded leopards,
and the other sample left in the wild. To be able to track the ones in the wild
were set in the natural habitat. There was a difficulty in following them since
they are nocturnal. In his findings, he was able to determine that the clouded
leopard has difficulties in reproducing when in captivity ("Ecology and
Conservation of the Clouded Leopard," 2016).
The ones in the wild were captured by poachers and could not
survive for long in the environment. His research seems to support capturing of
the clouded leopard and genetically altering its molecular formation to
conserve and ensure that the species does not become extinct. His work has been backed up by his decision
to continue his study in Thailand in collaboration with other scientists
("Ecology and Conservation of the Clouded Leopard", 2016).
China
In China, the clouded cat is known as ‘mint leopard’ because of
the spots on its pelt which is similar to those of mint leaves. The clouded
leopard in China can be found in forestry regions in the southern area of the
country below Qinling Mountains. The period between 1950 and mid-1980, the
Chinese government had allowed its citizens access the forest and utilize it as
it was one of the primary resources ("endangered cats | International
Society For Endangered Cats | Page 7", 2016). The country was dealing with
poverty and therefore the forest use to provide some of the essential resource
like wood, meat from the animals and also grazing grounds for their livestock
which caused a severe effect on the ecological biodiversity. The results led to
the vulnerability of the clouded leopard which caused them to reduce
drastically in numbers.
To conserve this vulnerable species the Chinese government in
1998 put up Laws that forbid people from poaching the animals for medicine, or
destroying the habitats. They set up conservational facilities in different
levels, and the basis of the divisions was mainly on the significance of the
protected area. The levels include; National, Provincial and County parts
("endangered cats | International Society For Endangered Cats | Page
7", 2016).
Although the country has put up these regulations, there are
always the people who go against the laws and poach. There is also a high case
in human-wildlife conflict since the proximity of the natural habitat for the
clouded leopard to the human settlement areas is close and so cases are
reported of the wild animals being seen in the settlement areas or attacking
the domestic animals at night.
Others
Clouded leopards occur in Nepal and some parts of India.
However, these countries do not have specific regulations to protect the
vulnerable species. The states have set laws to take care of conservation
establishments and which also be in charge of wildlife in these countries. Due
to this negligence the clouded leopard may become endangered and in the end, it
becomes extinct. The situation would be a repeat of what happened in Taiwan
("Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) - Animals - A-Z Animals - Animal
Facts, Information, Pictures, Videos, Resources and Links", 2016).
Conclusions
There are grave consequences in neglecting clouded leopards. The
problems are the loss of biodiversity and species which will cause an imbalance
in the ecosystem. The researchers have covered the evolution of the clouded
leopard over the past years and have been able, in the recent past to classify
another species of the clouded leopard. However, their efforts in this would be
of no significance if the species they uncover became extinct.
In various researches, it has been seen that the main factors
that will cause the extinction are, human-wildlife conflict. An example of this
conflict is where the animals attack the people in their homes. The reason why
this may happen is when there is a lot of deforestation and the animals to not
have anything to eat (due to the migration of prey) they might attack the
homesteads looking for food and end up eating the livestock or attacking the
human beings on the way. The attacks
might put a lot of pressure on the authorities, on the other hand, the people
end up counting losses. The animal involved if caught by the angry residents
may end up being killed.
The other factor that may be associated with causing extinction
is the lack of proper rules and regulations to protect the vulnerable species
(clouded leopard). Governments in the countries involved have tried to
formulate rules to prevent harm to the animal like poaching for their hide or
their medicinal value, but there is still a significant problem since the
people are still in the poaching business.
Deforestation is another problem that is caused by human beings.
Clouded leopards spent most of their life on trees (Wilting et al., 2007). By
cutting down trees and destroying the forests, human beings render the animals
homeless. They might not be able to survive in the changed environment.
Recommendations
The problem of poaching has been there and will always be there
not unless there is the implementation of severe penalties on those caught in
the illegal business. The governments like China, Thailand, India, and Nepal
should come together and form a foundation that will cater for the issues
concerning the clouded leopard.
For the case of human-wildlife conflict, the authorities
involved in handling the animals should be proactive to prevent the attacks by
the animals. Measures should be put in place to prevent the intrusion by the
animals in homesteads. They could be done by using barriers like an electric
fence of the conservation. In case there is an attack, proper compensation
should be done to the people involved.
Finally, Dr. Lon
Grassman’s research should be used in ensuring that the biodiversity of the
clouded leopard continues. The research involves the assistance of the clouded
leopard mating in captivity. The research, therefore, finds some loopholes in
the protection and conservation of the clouded leopard and would be useful to
further research on the issue.
References
About the Clouded Leopard. (2016). Cloudedleopard.org. Retrieved
19 June 2016, from http://www.cloudedleopard.org/about_main
(2016). Scholarship.law.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 19 June 2016,
from
http://scholarship.law.berkeley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1514&context=elq
Basic Facts About Clouded Leopards. (2012). Defenders of
Wildlife. Retrieved 19 June 2016, from http://www.defenders.org/clouded-leopard/basic-facts
Clouded Leopard - Cats - Research Guides at Harvard Library.
(2016). Guides.library.harvard.edu. Retrieved 19 June 2016, from
http://guides.library.harvard.edu/fas/cats/Cats/CloudedLeopard
Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) - Animals - A-Z Animals -
Animal Facts, Information, Pictures, Videos, Resources and Links. (2016).
A-z-animals.com. Retrieved 19 June 2016, from
http://a-z-animals.com/animals/clouded-leopard/
Ecology and Conservation of the Clouded Leopard. (2016). Cloudedleopard.org.
Retrieved 19 June 2016, from http://www.cloudedleopard.org/thai_ecology
endangered cats | International Society For Endangered Cats |
Page 7. (2016). Felids.wordpress.com. Retrieved 19 June 2016, from
https://felids.wordpress.com/category/endangered-cats/page/7/
Kitchener, A., Beaumont, M., & Richardson, D. (2006).
Geographical Variation in the Clouded Leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, Reveals Two
Species. Current Biology, 16(23), 2377-2383.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2006.10.066
Wilting, A., Buckley-Beason, V., Feldhaar, H., Gadau, J.,
O'Brien, S., & Linsenmair, K. (2007). Clouded leopard phylogeny revisited:
support for species recognition and population division between Borneo and
Sumatra. Front Zool, 4(1), 15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1742-9994-4-15
Thailand Clouded Leopard Consortium - National Zoo| FONZ.
(2016). Nationalzoo.si.edu. Retrieved 19 June 2016, from
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/ReproductiveScience/ConsEndangeredCats/CloudedLeopards/consortium.cfm
Neofelis nebulosa (Clouded Leopard, Clouded Leopard). (2016).
Iucnredlist.org. Retrieved 19 June 2016, from
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/14519/0
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