Sanctuary breeding endangered clouded leopards

SIPAHEEJALA SANCTUARY (Tripura): The endangered clouded leopard seems to have got a new lease of life in the Sipaheejala Sanctuary which has witnessed two births annually of the species whose population has declined to just 31 in India.

The sanctuary is the only conservation breeding project for clouded leopards, sanctuary veterinarian Dr Sajal Das said.

Of the 31 of the species existing, named after the cloud-like spots on its coat to provide camouflage in its forest habitat, there are 17 in Tripura, district, five each in Dhalai and North Tripura districts and four in West Tripura district, according to the census report of the Forest Department.

Of the 31 clouded leopards, 21 are in different zoos, including 16 in Tripura, Das said.

Though they are called clouded leopards, they are not leopards and are closely related to tigers.

"While the species were closely related and classified as one family, the felidae, genetic research has shown that the clouded leopard is closely related to the tiger. For this reason clouded leopards are considered a member of the pantherinae, which includes lions, tigers and jaguars," Das said.

Clouded leopards are found in the Northeast of the country, besides Sumatra, Borneo and Java, Nepal, Myanmar and southern China.

"The species is dwindling due to loss of habitat," said Wildlife Warden of Sipaheejala sanctuary, Norad C Debnath.