Known as the Formosan clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa brachyura), a rare big cat species in Taiwan, these leopards had not been officially seen since 1983 and were thought to be extinct. However, due to their inability to find a leopard, this species was officially declared extinct in 2013.
Again in January 2019, these leopards were seen by several people roaming in the wilderness of Taitung County, Taiwan. They were spotted alive and well in January 2019, and a team of rangers was sent to monitor the area.
Security forces have reported that a group of Formosan leopards were hunting a herd of goats and they were seen running up a tree.
The significance of the discovery has impressed Taitung people, who now hold tribal meetings to discuss the sightings and efforts to stop outsiders from poaching the leopards.
Tribe members believe this will stop poaching in the area by outsiders, and village elders are making a remarkable effort to lobby Taiwanese authorities to stop logging and other land-damaging activities in the area.
Liu Chiung-hsi, a professor in the Department of Biology at National Taitung University, said he believed the animal still existed, and that the Formosan was known to be quite agile and wary, avoiding human attempts to trap or otherwise capture them. Professor, Liu added, so it’s no wonder people haven’t seen them in more than two decades.
According to scientists and conservationists, plants and animals and species currently undergoing mass extinctions on Earth are becoming extinct at 1,000 to 10,000 times their natural rate. Therefore, meeting the Formosan clouded leopard in Taiwan again is the best news for our planet.
According to, Aubtu
(photos right to original owner)
