Wherever cats are found, they are usually the top apex predator of their environment. As a keystone species, cats play an important regulating function within an ecosystem. They often prey on species that in turn feed on vegetation. Without cats, the populations of these species can grow unchecked, leading to decimation of local vegetation, which can reduce the functionality of an ecosystem and its overall biodiversity.
Borneo is home to five native species of cat: Bornean (Sunda) Leopard Cat (Neofelis diardi), Bornean Bay Cat (Catopuma badia), Flat-headed Cat (Prionailurus planiceps), Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata) and the Bornean (Sunda) Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa).
Bornean Clouded Leopard
(Photo courtesy of PT RMU/Meyner Nusalawo)
The Bornean Clouded Leopard, sometimes called Diard’s Clouded Leopard, is Borneo’s largest terrestrial predator and one of the world’s most beautiful cats. They are found in both the Katingan Mentaya Project and the Kuamut Rainforest Conservation Project.
It earned the name, clouded, thanks to the large spots on its sides resemble dark clouds rimmed in black on their back edges. The general colour is a well-camouflaging combination of browns, greys and black.
Body length including the tail can be up to 1 ½ m and most individuals weigh between 15 and 20 kg. Males are larger than females.
As befits an arboreal cat, the legs are proportionately shorter than other species, which provides a lower center of gravity, and for balance, the tail is as long as the body. Clouded leopards have large paws, and their claws are long and completely retractable. The clouded leopards and the marbled cat are the only cats that can climb down a tree-trunk head-first.
Clouded leopards are formidable predators. The upper fangs are proportionally the largest amongst any of the cats, and their teeth are widely spaced for a powerful and deep bite. They predate monkeys, deer, pigs, orangutans, birds, and small mammals. Little is known of their hunting habits, but most predation may occur on the ground, although some individuals have been reported to attack from tree limbs from above, as mainland leopards often do. Clouded leopards will cache the prey until it is fully consumed. They also appear to be picky eaters removing feathers or fur before eating.
The Bornean Clouded Leopard is at its maximum density in lowland primary forests but has been reported in secondary forests up to 1500 m. As the top terrestrial predator, it is a rare and low- density species, which requires a significant contiguous area of forest to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse, self-sustaining population.
Threatened status
Bornean Clouded Leopards have been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red Data List since 2015 and on Appendix One of the CITES convention as prohibited in commercial international trade since 1973.
In Sabah, Malaysia’s most northern state on the island of Borneo, only 275 to 585 individuals are estimated to live in protected contiguous forest suitable for maintaining a minimum population of 50 individuals or more.
Clouded leopards do not utilise plantations or highly developed areas but occur in secondary forest at low densities. These widely scattered individuals probably do not constitute a genetically viable population for the long-term.
The biggest threats to clouded leopard survival are the continuing forest fragmentation occurring throughout Borneo, climate change with its increased fires, the high demand and value of clouded leopard skins and body parts for traditional Chinese medicine, and live animals for pets and private zoos. Larger areas are needed if clouded leopards are to survive into the next century.
For more information on the Katingan Mentaya Project: HERE
RMU (Rimba Makmur Utama) Katingan Mentaya Project page HERE
For more information on the Kuamut Rainforest Conservation Project: (project page) HERE and on LinkedIn (project showcase) HERE
For more species focus articles, news etc. HERE
