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.
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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