Thailand Small Carnivore and Clouded Leopard Workshop

The Clouded Leopard Project was pleased to sponsor an international workshop on the small carnivores of Thailand, November, 24-27, 2009 at Kasetsart University, Bangkok.

This meeting was a direct offshoot of the CLP-organized Clouded Leopard and Small Felid Summit held in Bangkok in January 2009. At that time, a group of researchers became interested in an analysis of the data that had been gathered from photo-trapping in Thailand, for (1) understanding the current status and distribution of small carnivores, (2) for exploring the possibility of improving and standardizing ecological survey methods across Thailand, (3) in prioritizing research needs within Thailand, and (4) integrating conservation efforts within Thailand with efforts in neighboring Laos and Myanmar.

According to one of the workshop organizers, Dr. David Reed Associate Professor, University of Louisville Louisville, KY, the meeting was even more successful than expected. There were some excellent discussions and the data set was quite impressive. Participants are currently working on papers to be published in the near future concerning what was learned about the status and distribution of all the mammalian carnivore species.

Based on the data, detailed habitat models are being constructed for dhole; clouded leopard, leopard, and tiger; and for numerous other small carnivores. The clouded leopard, leopard, and tiger are being modeled together. Preliminary analysis suggested very strongly that clouded leopard and tiger are found almost exclusively together and that leopard densities are strongly negatively correlated with tiger densities. Thus, researchers hypothesize that tigers deter leopards and that leopards depress clouded leopard densities, so that the presence of tigers and clouded leopards are strongly positively associated with each other. To fully document this, the species are being modeled together and researchers hope to tease apart whether the correlation is due to direct interaction between the species or if it is partly due to leopards having a preference for different habitat types.

Threatened Species of the Day Website from IUCN

To coincide with the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, to increase awareness of the huge variety of life and to raise the profile of threatened species, IUCN has launched The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species “Species of the Day”.

Each day in 2010, a different species will be featured as Species of the Day on the IUCN and IUCN Red List websites. The species will be selected from across all taxa, representing all regions and detailing the threats to their existence.
Three cat species have been nominated for inclusion by the IUCN Cat Specialist Group. They have selected a small cat from Asia, Africa and South America.

The African golden cat will be profiled this week on Wednesday 27 January, and the marbled cat on Wednesday 3 February 2010. You will find the profiles here. Be sure to check it out to learn more about the world's most threatened species.

More Clouded Leopards Identified in Borneo Project

Andy Hearn and Joanna Ross report that they have identified another individual Sunda clouded leopard through their camera trapping study in Sabah, Borneo's Tabin National Park. Through their photos, they can now identify at least 6 males and 2 females within their study area.

Andy and Jo have compiled a photo comparison of the cats to illustrate the unique spot pattern each has - the method by which the researchers identify individual animals. They note that they are seeing less variability in the coats of Tabin's cats and wonder if this may be a result of reduced genetic variability in the population.

For more information, visit their blog post.