Taiwan potential for clouded leopard reintroduction

Taiwan is home to the extinct clouded leopard, a medium-sized wild cat. The island remains ideal for the reintroduction of this species, according to recent studies. Approximately 38% of Taiwan's land area may be suitable for clouded leopard habitat. Interestingly, at the moment, 46% of this potential habitat is protected.

A Dissected Look at Clouded Leopards in Taiwan

• The clouded leopard is found in the southern and southeastern parts of Asia and is ‘vulnerable’ due to factors like habitat loss, prey base reduction, and hunting pressure.
• In Taiwan, the reasons for the extinction: poaching, habitat fragmentation, and the elimination of their prey.
• A camera-trap survey carried out from 1997 to 2012 supported this notion of their being extinct in the country.
• Even though many of them are extinct, social mammals of Taiwan have since repopulated mainly because the forest cover for them has increased and hunting has been prohibited.
• The clouded leopard can be found in 38% of Taiwan’s area, especially in the mountainous areas, and has moderate to high habitat suitability.
• Current efforts for the outer breeding of clouded leopards in Taiwan are already being laid down by the Clouded Leopard Association of Taiwan.
• A spatially explicit and statistically sophisticated multiscale, multivariate habitat selection model was used to identify potential suitable habitats.
• The habitat in Taiwan, such as tropical rainforest, temperate forest, and alpine meadow, has made it possible for the clouded leopard.