Monday, April 19, 2010

2010 Grant Awards
The Clouded Leopard Project and the Point Defiance Zoo Society partner each year to provide grant funding to further our common mission of learning about and conserving clouded leopards and other Southeast Asia small felids. It was exciting to receive many proposals this year relating to these species. We applaud these researchers and conservationists for their efforts!

The following projects received funding:

Consequences of different forest management strategies for clouded leopards and other felids and viverrids in Sabah, Malaysia.

Ranging behavior, and demography of a little known solitary felid: An intensive, long-term camera-trap investigation of the Ulu Segama Sunda clouded leopard population (Malaysia).

The Clouded Leopards and Small Cats of Sumatra: Conflict Mitigation in the Face of a Quickly Rising Human Population.

Conservation Genetics of Threatened and Endangered Bornean Wild Cats in Sabah, Malaysia.

Status & Conservation Needs of the Sunda Clouded Leopard on Borneo.

Survey for Small Felid Species in Select Thailand Reserves and Evidence for Competitive Exclusion by Larger Felids.

Sabangau Felid Project, Borneo, Indonesia.

Wild Cats Education Week Festival, Kerinci Seblat National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia.

Southeast Asia Wild Cat Education Initiative.

Community Outreach Support in Thailand’s Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Clouded Leopards, Media Darlings!

Today Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's new clouded leopards made the front page of the Tacoma News Tribune. The cats are adjusting really well to all the sights and sounds of their new home, even scary strollers! They have had their huge front window covered by a flour and water mixture to minimize their view into the big outdoors. But now that they are doing so well we have been removing the coating and making "portholes" for them to peek out of. Their temporary exhibit will be open intermittently starting Monday and hopefully be fully open by the following week.
You should also check out the great video the TNT videographer shot of the kids in all their spotty adoreableness!
How can you not come to the Zoo to see them???

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Clouded Leopard Video From Sumatra

The CLP received this very short video clip of a clouded leopard encountered by Mr. Sjarif, a graduate student of Gadjah Mada Univesiry, Indonesia. Sjarif made a camp near the rivermouth of Sungai Ibay on Sumatra. After constructing the camp, he took a rest and went to the river to bathe. While he was at the river he saw a clouded leopard approach, although he didn't know what it was at the time. Luckily, he had his camera with him and grabbed it to take two photos. However, he didn't realize the camera was set up to video mode, so instead of photos he got extremely short video clips. While it is great, it is also frustrating to have missed out on such an amazing photo and video opportunity!