CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS

The species is being in news due to ongoing effort to count it in spite of its elusive nature.

• The clouded leopard (Neofelisnebulosa) is a wild cat that lives in the cloud forests of Southeast Asia, from the foothills of the Himalayas through Northeast India and Bhutan to mainland Southeast Asia into South China.
• They are named for their cloud-like spots, and are one of the oldest cat species.
• Clouded leopards are stocky, larger than small cats, and smaller than large cats.
• They have large paws with specialized footpads for gripping branches, and specialized anklebones that allow them to climb in different positions.
• They can open their mouths to a 100-degree angle, and are one of only two cat species that can climb down trees headfirst.
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable