Secrets of the clouded leopard: abundance, habitat use and carnivore coexistence in tropical forest of Manas National Park, Assam, India

A study on the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) in Manas National Park, India, reveals critical insights into its population density and habitat use. Researchers estimated a low population density of 1.73 individuals per 100 km² and a relative abundance index of 0.18 per 100 trap-nights, indicating a vulnerable status. The study found that the availability of small prey species and primary forests significantly influenced clouded leopard habitat selection, emphasizing the conservation importance of these elements. Additionally, the research observed high temporal overlap (> 0.70) with distinct activity peaks among sympatric carnivores but no spatial co-occurrence pattern. This work contributes valuable data to our understanding of the mainland clouded leopard's population and behavioral ecology in Manas National Park.

Bhatt, U., & Lyngdoh, S. (2023). Secrets of the clouded leopard: abundance, habitat use and carnivore coexistence in tropical forest of Manas National Park, Assam, India. Oryx, 57(6), 757–768. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605322001661