Malaysia: Rare clouded leopard caught in Felda scheme

New Straits Times 25 Mar 13


The clouded leopard in the trap set up by the state Wildlife and National Parks Department. Pic by Ramli Ibrahim

GUA MUSANG: The state Wildlife and National Parks Department yesterday captured a rare clouded leopard in Felda Perasu here following reports of its sightings by settlers.

Director Rahmat Topani said the male leopard, which was under threat of extinction, was lured into a trap set up by rangers in an oil palm plantation about 8am on Wednesday.

"The clouded leopard is a rare species and is protected. The animal has no record of attacking humans but we laid the trap when villagers reported sightings in their area."

He said the captured leopard, known scientifically as Neofelis nebulosa, was estimated to be about 4 years old with a height of 0.5m.

"We will release it into the wild in the Kuala Koh national park soon."

Rahmat said the department could not ascertain a claim made by a villager that the clouded leopard had mauled 10 goats in the settlement but would look into the issue.

"As the size of the clouded leopard is not that big, it may not be possible for it to have eaten the goats. Besides, clouded leopards normally only prey on chickens."

Settler Mat Zain Deraman, 53, said he lost 10 goats on Tuesday and Wednesday and believed they were mauled by the clouded leopard.

"I helped set up the trap with the rangers and we put two goat carcasses as bait," he said.