The clouded leopard, a medium sized cat found mainly in Asia, is an enigma to scientists. There is no exact number of how many are in the wild, though through confirmed sightings and the decreasing number of pelts found on the markets, scientists have concluded that this species is endangered. They have singled out two main threats to the clouded leopard's survival-- hunting and habitat loss.

Research has shown that the clouded leopard inhabits the forests of Asia, specifically in Nepal, Bangladesh, eastern India, Sumatra, Borneo, China, and Taiwan. Clouded leopards have also been found in the Himalayas at elevations as high as 9,000 feet. This species prefers forests, as they spend a good majority of their day in trees where they will hunt their prey. The clouded leopard is also known to be the best climber in the cat family because they are able to climb upside down and underneath tree branches. The adaptations that allow the clouded leopard to do this include: being short and stout (thus providing leverage and a low center of gravity), having a tail measuring three feet in length that is used for balance, and hind feet that have flexible joints; allowing the leopard to descend, squirrel-like down a tree to catch their prey.

Since the clouded leopard prefers to spend the majority of its time in trees, habitat destruction has done much damage to this species. Currently, scientists are working against time to save some of the clouded leopard's habitat as well as trying to determine their preferences. Scientists are also trying to breed the clouded leopard in captivity, in case the wild population does become extinct. Unfortunately, they have had very little success with breeding them in captivity. Scientists do know that in the wild, clouded leopards reproduce mainly between December and March and cubs are born 93 days later. They have also learned that cubs become independent of their mother at 10 months of age and the mother can produce one litter per year. In captive pairs, breeding does not usually occur as there is a high incidence of aggression between males and females. Research is currently underway on how to solve this problem; however, scientists have yet to come up with any solutions.

The other major problem facing the clouded leopard comes from illegal hunting. Clouded leopards are hunted for their unusual teeth (which resemble the teeth of the extinct saber-tooth tiger), decorative pelts, and their bones, which are used for medicinal purposes in Asian countries. There are laws to protect the clouded leopard from hunting, though these laws are very rarely enforced. Work is currently being done to ensure survival of this species. There are four main areas scientists are working on for species survival including: development of policies and strategies for international cooperation, captive breeding and management, public education, population biology and simulation modeling. The captive population is currently being managed through an SSP (Species Survival Plan). The goals of the SSP include: addressing captive management issues, stabilizing demographics, improving the genetics of the captive population, and development of conservation in the clouded leopard's native countries.

Success has been made through the different procedures outlined by the SSP and other conservation groups. For example, in India, it appears that the clouded leopard population is benefiting from the efforts to conserve the tiger species. Since both the tiger and the clouded leopard share the same habitat, both benefit from the use of the tiger reserves. Also, at present time, the IUCN/Species Survival Commission Cat Specialist Group is preparing a World Cat Conservation Strategy Plan, which would, in effect, identify further conservation initiatives needed to ensure survival of the species. In addition, hunting for clouded leopards in China and Taiwan have both decreased as the government has taken a more active role in enforcing the hunting laws. Though the clouded leopard is considered on the brink of extinction, governments and international conservation agencies are working to help this species survive.