International Clouded Leopard Day:Since 2018

International Clouded Leopard Day

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Context

Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati emphasized the pressing challenges in wildlife conservation during a function to observe International Clouded Leopard Day.
The event was held at the Mizoram University campus near Aizawl city.

INTERNATIONAL CLOUDED LEOPARD DAY

On August 4th, International Clouded Leopard Day raises awareness of the plight of the clouded leopard.
International Clouded Leopard Day (ICLD) is a day of international awareness and an attempt to increase the profile of clouded leopards both in captivity and in the wild.
Howlett's Wild Animal Park founded International Clouded Leopard Day in 2018 to raise awareness about the Clouded leopard. The organization studies and supports conservation and preservation of endangered species around the world.

CLOUDED LEOPARD

Topic	Key Points
Common Name	Clouded Leopard
Scientific Name	Neofelis nebulosa
Habitat	Dense forests from the Himalayas to Southeast Asia
Physical Description	Dusky-grey blotches, irregular spots and stripes, tail for balancing, excellent climber
Size	Head-and-body length: 68.6 - 108 cm; Tail: 61 - 91 cm
Behavior	Nocturnal, arboreal, solitary, rests in trees, hunts on forest floor
Diet	Preys on arboreal and terrestrial vertebrates, including deer and monkeys
Conservation Status	Vulnerable (IUCN Red List), population under 10,000
Threats	Deforestation, poaching for wildlife trade
Captive Breeding	Lifespan: ~11 years, challenges due to male aggression during courtship, successful breeding programs since 1980s
Phylogeny	Sister taxon to other pantherine cats, diverged 9.32 - 4.47 million years ago
Distribution	Found in Nepal, Bhutan, Northeast India, Southeast Asia, and South China; locally extinct in Singapore and Taiwan
Reproduction	Gestation: ~93 days, litters of 1-5 cubs, weaning at 3 months, independent by 10 months
Conservation Efforts	CITES Appendix I, hunting bans in several countries, International Clouded Leopard Day celebrated on August 4th

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. How many of the following statements are correct regarding the Clouded Leopard:

It is a species found in dense forests from the Himalayas to Southeast Asia.
The Clouded Leopard is known for its excellent climbing abilities and often rests in trees.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
International Clouded Leopard Day is celebrated on August 4^th.

Options

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

Answer: (c) Only three

Explanation

The Clouded Leopard is classified as Vulnerable, not Endangered, on the IUCN Red List. Statement 3 is incorrect. Rest are correct.

SOURCE: TOI