A leopard
species, believed to have been completely extinct, has been spotted in
southeast Taiwan for the first time in over 30 years, prompting a push to
protect the big cat from hunters and habitat damage. The Formosan clouded
leopard was officially declared extinct in 2013, after it had not been spotted
since 1983 and a 13-year-long study by zoologists failed to find even one
leopard.
🔥 This is
a Formosan clouded leopard from Taiwan, it was thought to be extinct until it
was spotted this week. The last time it was seen was 1983
However,
locals in the southeast Taiwan town of Daren, Taitung, reported seeing the rare
cat again in recent months, inspiring a group of rangers to monitor the area.
The rangers have now reported two sightings of a group of Formosan clouded
leopards hunting goats, and one running up a tree. Now, researchers are
coordinating with locals to keep hunters at bay, according to the village chief
Kao Cheng-chi.
Exclusive to
Taiwan, the dusky-grey Formosan clouded leopard has been designated
‘vulnerable’ since 2008, as extensive logging ate away at the animal’s natural
habitat and forced them into the mountains. It’s been a great start to the year
for animals presumed extinct. Just last month a species of giant tortoise
thought to have disappeared since 1906 was discovered on the Galapagos island
of Fernandina.
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