Nepal is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including 13 species of wild cats. Among them, the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) stands out as one of the most fascinating and elusive. Known as the largest among the small cat species, the clouded leopard is named for the distinctive cloud-like patterns on its coat.
With short limbs, broad paws, and a long tail nearly equal to its body length, this cat is highly adapted to life in the trees. It also has the longest canine teeth relative to body size of any carnivore.
Weighing between 11 and 23 kilograms, the clouded leopard is a solitary, nocturnal animal, primarily active at dawn, dusk, and during the night.
Distribution and population status
Globally, the clouded leopard is found across South and Southeast Asia, including countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
In Nepal, it is mostly recorded within protected areas such as Annapurna Conservation Area, Manaslu Conservation Area, Langtang National Park, Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, Makalu-Barun National Park, Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Chitwan National Park, and Parsa National Park.
Beyond these zones, sightings have been reported from districts including Kaski, Chitwan, Sunsari, and Sankhuwasabha. Recent studies estimate that fewer than 100 individuals remain in Nepal.
Habitat and diet
Clouded leopards primarily inhabit dense subtropical forests but are also found in secondary forests, grasslands, scrublands, and mangrove ecosystems.
They typically reside at elevations up to 2,500 meters above sea level; however, some have recently been recorded at altitudes above 3,500 meters in Nepal, India, and Bhutan.
Their diet includes a variety of prey such as macaques, barking deer, langurs, squirrels, tree shrews, birds, and small rodents.
Reproduction and life cycle
Clouded leopards reach sexual maturity at around 26 months. Their breeding season generally occurs between December and March. After a gestation period of 90 to 100 days, females give birth to one to five cubs, with three being the most common.
Conservation and legal status
In Nepal, the clouded leopard is listed as an endangered species in the National Red Data Book of mammals. It is legally protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 and is also included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Any act of killing, injuring, trading, or possessing a clouded leopard or its parts is punishable by fines ranging from NPR 500,000 to 1,000,000, imprisonment for five to fifteen years, or both.
Threats
Clouded leopards face numerous threats, including poaching for their pelts, teeth, and bones. Habitat loss due to deforestation—occurring at an alarming rate of 10% annually in South Asia—is a major concern.
Their unique coat and body parts are also highly sought after in traditional medicine, driving illegal hunting. Additional threats include prey depletion, infrastructure development, mining, urban expansion, and forest fires.
Strategies for stronger conservation
Despite existing legal protections, hunting and trafficking of clouded leopards continue in Nepal. Effective implementation of conservation action plans is critical. Collaborative efforts with local communities are essential to ensure long-term protection.
Nationwide awareness campaigns can help improve public attitudes and support for the species. In addition, comprehensive ecological surveys should be conducted to better understand clouded leopard distribution and habitat use, and management interventions must be rigorously enforced.
Let’s join hands to protect the clouded leopard—Nepal’s vanishing forest jewel.
(Deepak Kumar Shah is a final year student at the College of Natural Resource Management (CNRM), Katari, Udayapur.)
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