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| Sundaland Clouded Leopard - Neofelis diardi | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 7 2012, 08:19 PM (8,719 Views) | |
| Taipan | Jan 7 2012, 08:19 PM Post #1 |
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Sundaland (Bornean) Clouded Leopard - Neofelis diardi![]() Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Subfamily: Pantherinae Genus: Neofelis Species: N. diardi The Bornean Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi) is a medium-sized wild cat found on Borneo, Sumatra and the Batu Islands in the Malay Archipelago and publicised under that name by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) on March 14, 2007. Its coat is marked with irregularly-shaped, dark-edged ovals which are said to be shaped like clouds, hence its common name. Though scientists have known of its existence since the early 19th century, it was positively identified as being a distinct species in its own right in 2006, having long been believed to be a subspecies of the mainland Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). WWF quoted Dr. Stephen O'Brien of the U.S. National Cancer Institute as saying, "Genetic research results clearly indicate that the clouded leopard of Borneo should be considered a separate species". ![]() Anatomy and morphology The Bornean Clouded Leopard has a stocky build, weighing about 25 kg (55 pounds). It is the largest predator in Borneo. The majority of its prey lives in trees, necessitating its excellent climbing skills. With short, flexible legs, large paws, and keen claws, this big cat is very sure-footed. The canine teeth are two inches long, proportionally longer than those of any other extant feline. Its tail can grow to be as long as its body, aiding balance. Distribution The Bornean Clouded Leopard's range is Borneo and Sumatra in the Malay Archipelago. The species was previously found in Java, but has not been recorded there since Neolithic times. Habitat N. diardi's preferred habitat is tropical and subtropical forest at altitudes up to about 2,000 metres (6,500 ft). Behaviour The habits of the Bornean Clouded Leopard are largely unknown because of the animal's secretive nature. It is assumed that it is generally a solitary creature. ![]() Etymology and taxonomic history Despite its name, the Bornean Clouded Leopard is not closely related to the leopard. The species was named Neofelis diardi in honor of French naturalist and explorer Pierre-Médard Diard; in the 19th century Felis diardii designated the Clouded Leopard/Bornean Clouded Leopard, colloquially "Diard's Cat". The local names, "Macan Dahan" in Indonesian and "Harimau Dahan" in Malay (also reported historically in Sumatra), mean "tree branch tiger". The species was long regarded as a subspecies of the Clouded Leopard, named Neofelis nebulosa diardi. In December 2006, two articles in the journal Current Biology detailed a strong case for reclassifying and redefining two distinct species of Clouded Leopard: Neofelis nebulosa from mainland Asia and Neofelis diardi from the Malay archipelago, except Peninsular Malaysia. A UK study led by Andrew C. Kitchener detailed geographical variations in the Clouded Leopard, indicating a split of two species. The results of a morphometric analysis of the pelages of fifty-seven Clouded Leopards sampled throughout the genus' wide geographical range concluded that there were two distinct morphological groups, differing primarily in the size of their cloud markings. Another study led by Valerie A. Buckley-Beason cited molecular evidence for the species-level distinction of the Clouded Leopard, although the study only used DNA samples from the Bornean population and mainland Asia and not from the Sumatran population. The genetics study found differences in the molecular genetic analyses (mtDNA, nuclear DNA sequences, microsatellite variation, and cytogenetic differences) of the different species of Clouded Leopard. Among the molecular disparities between the two species were thirty-six fixed mitochondrial and nuclear nucleotide differences and 20 microsatellite loci with nonoverlapping allele-size ranges. The study stated that the degree of differentiation was similar to the differences between the five Panthera species, thus concluding that Neofelis diardi is a separate species from Neofelis nebulosa. Evolutionary history The genetic analysis of Neofelis nebulosa and Neofelis diardi suggest the two species diverged 1.4 million years ago, after the animals used a now submerged land bridge to reach Borneo and Sumatra from mainland Asia. Conservation Because the Bornean Clouded Leopard's habits make it difficult to study, exact figures of its population do not exist. However, recent studies estimate the population to be between 5,000 and 11,000 great cats left on Borneo, and 3,000 to 7,000 on Sumatra. In the countries of its native range, hunting of the Clouded Leopard is prohibited. However, these bans are very poorly enforced. A recent study conducted in 2006, focusing on classifying tracks found in Sabah (northeastern Borneo), placed an estimate on the population: 1,500–3,200 cats in Sabah, with only 275–585 of them in large protected reserves. Encroachment upon and complete destruction of the Bornean Clouded Leopards' natural habitat, primarily by logging and the creation of rubber and palm oil plantations, continues to threaten the whole fauna of Borneo. ![]() Edited by Taipan, Jul 7 2012, 05:49 PM.
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| Taipan | Jan 10 2012, 02:08 PM Post #2 |
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Camera spots rare clouded leopard Page last updated at 21:18 GMT, Saturday, 16 August 2008 22:18 UK ![]() The Bornean clouded leopard was only classified as a distinct species in 2007 Automatic cameras have captured images of a clouded leopard in Borneo's Sebangua National Park, an area where the cats have not been recorded before. Researchers say confirmation of the leopards' presence highlights the need to protect the region's habitat. The park is one of the world's largest deep peat-swap forests, but is at risk from illegal logging and forest fires. The images are helping a team of scientists identify what big cat species are found in the area. The motion-activated remote cameras that captured the remarkable images were located on the northern edge of the Sebangau National Park, Indonesian Borneo. "The Bornean clouded leopard is a top priority for our programme," said Professor David Macdonald, director of Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, which is part of the Sebangau Felid Project. ![]() "We are very excited by this evidence that they occur at Sebangau - a great deal remains to be discovered about these beautiful felids, which are a flagship for conservation in South-East Asia." Camera action Based on estimates of density and population range, the team says the clouded leopards number no more than 10,000 sexually mature adults. The cat was first classified as a separate species in 2007 after genetic testing highlighted at least 40 differences from clouded leopards found on mainland Asia. The project aims to protect Indonesian Borneo's wild cat species, which also include the leopard cat, marbled cat and flat-headed cat. As well as capturing the first image of the Bornean cloud leopard (Neofelis diardi) in the park, the cameras have also photographed a number of other species, including Malaysian sun bears, bearded pigs and lesser mouse deer. The national park is also home to the world's largest remaining population of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii), and a "substantial" number of Bornean southern gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/sci_tech/green_room/7561940.stm Delving Into the Past of a Big Cat: Clouded Leopard Redefined ScienceDaily (Jan. 24, 2011) — Using genetic and morphological analyses, an international team of researchers led by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, has recently demonstrated that the clouded leopard (Neofelis) should not only be classified into two species, but that one of which even comprises two distinct subspecies. As shown in 2006, the genus Neofelis comprises two species living with distinct distributions. Clouded leopards from Borneo and Sumatra are genetically and morphologically highly distinct from their relatives on the mainland (Neofelis nebulosa) and thus form a separate species, the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi). Following up on these findings, a team of researchers led by Andreas Wilting and Joerns Fickel of the IZW collected fur and bone samples of the clouded leopard from natural history museums worldwide, with the aim of elucidating to what extent the spatially distinct populations of the Sunda clouded leopard have followed different evolutionary paths. "Although we suspected that Sunda clouded leopards on Borneo and Sumatra have likely been geographically separated since the last Ice Age, it was not known whether this long isolation had caused them to split up into separate sub-species," explains Wilting. In the course of their study, the researchers were able to demonstrate considerable genetic differences between the two populations. Dissimilarities between populations were also found with regard to skull morphology, as shown by Per Christiansen of the University of Aalborg, Denmark, a co-author of the study. In contrast, a comparison of coat colour patterns conducted by Andrew Kitchener from National Museums Scotland yielded only small deviations between the populations -- the authors surmise that this finding could be attributed to the highly similar tropical habitats on Borneo and Sumatra. Based on these distinct patterns of genetic and morphological variation, the researchers have now formally described two subspecies of the Sunda clouded leopard: one occurring exclusively in Sumatra, the other being endemic to Borneo. "So far we can only speculate about the specific course of events in the evolution of the clouded leopard," says Joerns Fickel. The scientists postulate that natural disasters and global climate periods are responsible for the split into two species and subspecies. The eruption of the "super-volcano" Toba on Sumatra ~75.000 years ago is likely to have played a particularly important role in this process. As Fickel explains, this event unquestionably had extreme consequences for the Southeast Asian fauna and flora. On that account, the researchers conclude that in all likelihood, only two populations of clouded leopards survived the eruption, one in southern China (Neofelis nebulosa) and one on Borneo (Neofelis diardi). In a plausible scenario, the latter recolonised Sumatra via glacial land bridges and subsequently developed into a different subspecies as sea levels rose after the last Ice Age and isolated the two islands. Both subspecies are classified as endangered by the IUCN, owing to the fact that they, as all other big cats, occur at low population densities and require big home ranges for their survival. In order to save the Sunda clouded leopard, it is therefore of paramount importance to protect large forest areas in Borneo and Sumatra, or at least to manage them sustainably, Wilting emphasises. For this reason, the project is being carried out in close collaboration with Sabah Wildlife Department in the Malaysian state of Sabah in Borneo. Dr. Laurentius Ambu, director of the Sabah Wildlife Department, adds that the IZW together with his department has contributed actively to efforts for the conservation of the Sunda clouded leopard in Borneo for several years, and last year, this team published the first video footage of a Sunda clouded leopard from the wild. ![]() A photograph of a clouded leopard from Borneo (Neofelis diardi borneensis) taken in 2009 by an automated camera-trap set up by the Conservation of Carnivores in Sabah (ConCaSa) project in Tangkulap Forest Reserve, Sabah Malaysia. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Journal Reference: Andreas Wilting, Per Christiansen, Andrew C. Kitchener, Yvonne J.M. Kemp, Laurentius Ambu, Jörns Fickel. Geographical variation in and evolutionary history of the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) with the description of a new subspecies from Borneo. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2010; DOI: [url]10.1016/j.ympev.2010.11.007[/url] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110122215859.htm Elusive Clouded Leopard Captured on Film—a First Recently identified species spotted in Indonesia forest. National Geographic News Published March 2, 2011 A camera trap has caught one of the world's most elusive cats on film for the first time, conservationists say. The Sundaland clouded leopard—only identified as its own species in 2007—was spotted recently in Indonesia's Berbak National Park on the island of Sumatra, according to the Zoological Society London (ZSL). Previously the cat was believed to be of the same species as the mainland clouded leopard. "This footage is further evidence of the rich wildlife found in Berbak National Park, and is yet another reason why it [is] essential that a conservation plan is put in place for the long-term protection of these forests," ZSL's Sarah Christie said in a statement. The new video shows one of the predator's unique adaptations to treetop living—a long tail that ensures balance on branches. The cat also relies on long claws and highly flexible ankles to scramble among the trees—and even shimmy down tree trunks like a squirrel, according to ZSL. The species, listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, probably numbers at fewer than ten thousand animals. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/03/110302-clouded-leopards-camera-animals-science/ |
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| Sicilianu | Jul 7 2012, 12:11 PM Post #3 |
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Figure 3. Morphological Variation between Mainland and Indonesian Clouded Leopards Photographs of live clouded leopards from (A) Sumatra (Jambi Province: Zoological Society of London/LIPI), (B) Borneo (Sarawak, Lambir Hill National Park: Mohd. Azlan J.), (C) Sumatra (Jambi Province: ZSL/LIPI), (D) Borneo (Danum valley, Sabah; Siew Te Wong), (E) Cambodia (Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area, Mondulkin: Joe Walston, Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program), (F) Thailand (Khao Yai National Park: Sean Austin, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute), and (G) Thailand (anaesthetized animal for radiotracking; Lon Grassman, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute); these photographs show the distinct morphological differences between mainland and Indonesian forms. Mainland animals have large almost rectangular clouds that slope backwards from the dorsal midline on the front half of the body, whereas Indonesian animals have small irregular clouds that form two or three rows arranged vertically from the dorsal midline. Source:http://novataxa.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-06-01T10:38:00%2B07:00&max-results=12&start=36&by-date=false |
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| Taipan | Sep 24 2013, 03:50 PM Post #4 |
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| Sicilianu | Mar 20 2014, 10:33 AM Post #5 |
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The Sunda clouded leopard was recently found to have two subspecies, the Sumatran clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi diardi) and the Bornean clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi borneensis). The two are supposed to be somewhat different in pelage. One of my posts above shows a figure from the paper formally describing the Bornean subspecies, but it is hard to tell how similar or different the pelage of diardi and borneensis really is. Therefore, I intend to show multiple pictures of animals from both islands. I am relying on finding pictures where the animal is said to be from either island in the source. Hopefully by the end, we will have a good idea of the pelage similarities and differences. So in a sense, this is a pictorial that will also hopefully serve to highlight the morphological differences between the two taxa. Sumatran Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi diardi) Pictures ![]() ![]() ![]() Bornean Clouded Lopard (Neofelis diardi borneensis) Pictures ![]() ![]() Clearly the Bornean subspecies is more well studied as pictures of a Sumatran animal are scarce. As far as I can tell, both species seem to be fairly identical. The Bornean subspecies seems as if it can come in a range, including the coloration of the Sumatran, but also of darker pelaged animals. I have not been able to confirm it, but I believe this animal is a borneensis. Some of you may remember it as the first pictures of the newly announced Sunda clouded leopard species. ![]() ![]() In conclusion, I have to agree with the paper I previously mentioned. The two subspecies overlap a good bit in coloration, and I would expect the borneensis subspecies to have a wider range. The next question on my mind is if the wider range is a recent evolution or if it is ancestral, meaning that a lighter colored leopard(s) colonized Sumatra. Hopefully, N. d. diardi will get a right up like borneensis did. Please if you wish to add any pictures, try to make sure the animal photographed is from either Sumatra or Borneo. Specifiying would be nice. I think this is the only post to actually try to compile and analyze the difference between the two subspecies. Edit: It seems to me that the Handbook of Mammals of the World: Volume One - Carnivores contains a plate with both species of Neofelis. It also appears that N. diardi is pictured as two varieties. Perhaps this is in reference to the two subspecies, although the book was published before the article on N. diardi borneensis. Does anyone have a large photo of this plate? ![]() EDIT: I am now in possession of the above book. The top leopard is Neofelis nebulosa nebulosa, then the middle animal is Neofelis nebulosa macrosceloides, and finally the bottom one is Neofelis diardi. Edited by Sicilianu, Feb 4 2015, 03:19 AM.
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| Taipan | Aug 25 2014, 06:01 PM Post #6 |
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Female Sunda clouded leopard 'Rahsia' successfully collared in Sabah BY MUGUNTAN VANAR Published: Monday August 25, 2014 MYT 1:34:00 PM Updated: Monday August 25, 2014 MYT 3:48:30 PM ![]() KINABATANGAN: A female Sunda clouded leopard was trapped and fitted with a satellite collar for the first time ever by conservationist studying the movement of the endangered carnivore in the Lower Kinabatangan area. The clouded leopard, named Rahsia and weighing 9.9kg, was caught in one of the traps set up along the Kinabatangan River in the vicinity of the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) on Aug 15. WildCru team member Andrew Hearn, who is a PhD student with Oxford University, said on Monday that the leopard was the fourth wild leopard collared, with this one being the first female. "After over a year and a half trapping each and every day, the capture of this healthy female cloudy we named Rahsia, is a real breakthrough for our project. "We are hopeful that the data stemming from her collar will provide essential insights into her movements that will enable the development of appropriate conservation actions for her species," added Hearn. He said the capture of the female leopard had come a few days after they had caught another female (which was previously captured in September 2013) but it was too small to be collared. The collaborative project is being carried out by the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD), WildCRU and DGFC and is aimed at focusing on research and conservation of the Sunda clouded leopard and other carnivores in Sabah. Its funded by Sime Darby Foundation, with additional funding and support provided by Atlanta Zoo, Houston Zoo, Recanati-kaplan Foundation, Robertson Foundation, Point Defiance Zoo, The Clouded Leopard Project and Rufford Foundation. Project leader Dr Benoit Goossens, who is DGFC director, said the collaring of the female clouded leopard was part of an intensive satellite tracking programme to study the spatial ecology and habitat associations of the Sunda clouded leopard and other carnivores in the fragmented landscape of the Lower Kinabatangan. "Our research is playing an important role in Sunda clouded leopard conservation and management. Regardless of the level of efforts focused on maintaining and increasing the amount of natural habitat, we are ultimately fighting a losing battle, as we can currently see in the Kinabatangan. "Therefore, understanding how wildlife is using this ever-changing landscape will help us mitigating and hopefully reducing the level of threats posed by the changing landscape," Goossens added. http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/08/25/Sunda-clouded-leopard-was-trapped-and-fitted-with-a-satellite-collar/ |
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| maker | Dec 26 2014, 12:20 PM Post #7 |
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http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Features/2014/12/22/We-need-to-do-more-for-clouded-leopards-in-Malaysia/ |
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| Sicilianu | Feb 6 2015, 02:31 AM Post #8 |
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Melanistic clouded leopard ( Photograph copyright of Joseph K Charles)![]() ANNOUNCEMENT!!! The Melanistic Bornean Clouded Leopard - First Ever Photograph By J.K. Charles, Ang Bee Biaw, Samhan Nyawa, Simmons Benalai, Mikaail Kavanagh The Sungei Ingei Faunal Survey Expedition commenced in July 2010 in the Sg Ingei Protection Forest, Belait District, Brunei Darussalam, with the aim of documenting the wildlife of the area for science and to provide a basis for conservation management. It is a project of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, contributing to the national effort to conserve the Heart of Borneo.[1] An array of camera traps that has been set up has yielded the first photographic evidence that there is a melanistic form of the Clouded Leopard living on Borneo. The Bornean Clouded Leopard, Neofelis diardii ssp.borneensis, is genetically different from the mainland species, N. nebulosa. While it is not one of the big cats, it is the largest predator on Borneo, having dagger-like canine teeth that are the largest of any cat in relation to body size. Normally, it has a light tan coat with distinct, large, irregularly shaped ‘cloud-like’ patterns with dark edges. Occasional, very rare sightings have suggested that a dark (melanistic) form occurs in the population, but until now this has not been confirmed with hard evidence. Of the 37 cat species in the world, 11 are said to have melanistic individuals, the best known being the “black panther” which is a melanistic form of the leopard, Panthera pardus. A camera trap photograph that was taken in the Sg Ingei Protection Forest in Brunei in July 2010 is indistinct but it definitely shows this dark animal approaching the camera, uphill at a distance (see picture). This is exciting news! The animal, as can be seen in the enlarged picture, is very dark with patterned markings. All pictures of clouded leopards in other parts of Borneo, including Brunei Darussalam, show the usual colour form (see picture). Borneo has 24 carnivore species of which 11 are in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with 4 being endangered. This record of the melanistic form has important implications for Brunei. The Clouded Leopard is endangered throughout in Borneo and under the Brunei Wildlife Protection Act (1984) it is a protected species. Hunting or poaching it is a very serious offence. The Sg Ingei Protection Forest is known for its extraordinary diversity of forest types. While the data are not yet complete or fully analysed, the records emerging from the Faunal Survey are showing that this is reflected in a rich diversity of wild animals. The exciting confirmation of a melanistic form of the Bornean Clouded Leopard is part of a growing body of evidence that shows the major conservation value of this area. The land area of Brunei is small compared with the overall size of Borneo, yet it is known to include some of the island’s best preserved primary forest. Brunei has pledged to conserve much of its natural forest both for the nation and for the overall Heart of Borneo initiative that is being undertaken jointly with Indonesia and Malaysia. Every effort should therefore go into protecting the Sg Ingei Protection Forest as one of the most biologically rich places on Earth. It is vital that the area and the surrounding region be fully protected for future generations. Ideally, it should become a Wildlife Sanctuary and should be part of a national effort to ensure the safety of all the endangered species of Brunei. [1] The project is supported by Standard Chartered Bank in co-operation with WWF International’s Heart of Borneo support programme. We are grateful for the support of the Ministry of Industry & Primary Resources, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Forestry Department, Brunei Museum, and the people of Melilas. It is very hard to make out any features of the animal, but I thought I would post this anyway. |
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| Taipan | May 11 2018, 10:12 PM Post #9 |
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Tracking the clouded leopard May 10, 2018, Cardiff University Credit: Cardiff University Satellite collars have provided researchers in Borneo with a new insight into the mysterious movements of the Sunda clouded leopard, helping to ensure the future of this vulnerable species. The international team, including researchers from Cardiff University and the Danau Girang Field Centre, tagged four leopards with satellite collars and investigated what factors influence their movements through the landscape, and explored how future landscape change scenarios might affect them. Dr. Andrew Hearn, from Oxford University Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, said: "We found that forest canopy cover facilitates the movements of these cats through the landscape, but that recently cleared or underproductive and flooded oil palm plantation areas tended to resist their movements. "Our study provides the first evidence that forest cover is crucial to maintain the connectivity of clouded leopard populations, and highlights that the protection of the large areas of privately owned forest in the Kinabatangan, much of which is earmarked for conversion to plantations is critical for their survival in the region." By tracking the elusive predator, the collaborative research aimed to influence policies to help with the conservation of the Sunda clouded leopard – one of the largest predators in Borneo. Dr. Benoit Goossens, Cardiff University and Director of the Danau Girang Field Centre, said: "Our research showed that the conversion of frequently flooded and underproductive plantations areas to forest would bring large benefits to Sunda clouded leopards, whilst minimising impacts to the plantation industry. "We predicted that the reforestation of narrow forest corridors may be an important and cost-effective conservation tool for this species. "These findings will be integrated in the State Action Plan for the Sunda clouded leopard that is currently drafted and will be launched in September 2018." Dr. Samuel Cushman, Director of the USDA Forest Service Center for Landscape Science, said: "The analysis produced a very clear finding that clouded leopards are highly resistant to moving outside of forest cover and the scenario analyses provide clear and useful guidance to managers about the costs and benefits of alternative conservation planning in the Kinabatangan region." Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-05-tracking-clouded-leopard.html#jCp |
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