Indochinese leopard
Encyclopedia
The Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) is a leopard
subspecies native to mainland Southeast Asia
and into southern China
, classified as “Near Threatened
” in 2008 by IUCN. In Indochina
, leopards are threatened primarily by habitat loss due to deforestation, as well as poaching for the illegal trade. They are becoming increasingly rare outside protected areas, and may soon qualify for the “Vulnerable
” status. The trend of the population is decreasing.
s south of the Isthmus to predominantly spotted forms north of the Isthmus. Records from camera-trapping studies conducted at 22 locations in Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand between 1996 and 2009 show that only melanistic leopards were present in samples south of the Isthmus. In the dense tropical forest habitat in part of their range, melanism is quite common, and black leopards have a selective advantage for ambush.
, Thailand
, Malaysia, Laos
, Cambodia
, Vietnam
and South China
.
In Myanmar's Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary
, leopards declined so drastically between the 1940s–80s, that by 2000 were estimated being close to locally extinct.
Since the mid-1990s, leopard-oriented field research was carried out in only two protected areas in Thailand:
Between April 2003 to June 2004, 25 different leopards walked past camera trap
s set up over an area of 500 km² (193.1 sq mi) in the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area in Laos. Leopards are reported to occur in Laos' Nam Kan National Protected Area as well.
In Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary on the Thai-Malaysian border, only 2 leopards walked past camera traps deployed between October 2004 to October 2007.
In April 2010, a spotted leopard was camera-trapped
in the Taman Negara Endau-Rompin National Park
in Malyasia's southern state of Johor
, where previously only black leopards were believed to roam.
following large–scale deforestation
, and prey depletion through illegal hunting. Another serious threat is hunting for the illegal wildlife trade
, which has the greatest potential to do maximum harm in minimal time.
and wild pig is estimated at about 28.2 kg annually per household — an offtake amounting to 2,840 kg ungulate
s per 100 km² (38.6 sq mi), which is equivalent to the meat required to sustain several leopards per 100 km² (38.6 sq mi).
A study carried out in a highly fragmented tropical rain forest within Malaysia’s capital agglomeration of Klang Valley
suggested leopard density estimate as high as 28.35 leopards per 100 100 km² (38.6 sq mi), which is one of the highest leopard densities reported. As a result of rapid shrinking of the forests, individuals may have been pushed into the remaining forest in this area, so that their population is unexpectedly high. Leopards were mostly affected by construction activities conducted inside the forest.
in traditional Asian medicines and tonics. In China, the use of stockpiles of leopard bone is still permitted by the government by medicinal manufacturers, despite the domestic trade ban.
In Myanmar, 215 body parts of at least 177 leopards were observed in four markets surveyed between 1991 to 2006. Among the body parts, a leopard penis and testes were openly traded, along with other parts of the freshly killed animal. Three of the surveyed markets are situated on international borders with China and Thailand, and cater to international buyers, although leopards are completely protected under Myanmar's national legislation. Effective implementation and enforcement of CITES is considered inadequate.
Leopard
The leopard , Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The leopard was once distributed across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its...
subspecies native to mainland Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
and into southern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, classified as “Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Near Threatened is a conservation status assigned to species or lower taxa that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future, although it does not currently qualify for the threatened status...
” in 2008 by IUCN. In Indochina
Indochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
, leopards are threatened primarily by habitat loss due to deforestation, as well as poaching for the illegal trade. They are becoming increasingly rare outside protected areas, and may soon qualify for the “Vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
” status. The trend of the population is decreasing.
Characteristics
There appears to be a disjunction around the Isthmus of Kra, where the population changes from predominantly black formBlack panther
A black panther is typically a melanistic color variant of any of several species of larger cat. Wild black panthers in Latin America are black jaguars , in Asia and Africa they are black leopards , and in North America they may be black jaguars or possibly black cougars A black panther is...
s south of the Isthmus to predominantly spotted forms north of the Isthmus. Records from camera-trapping studies conducted at 22 locations in Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand between 1996 and 2009 show that only melanistic leopards were present in samples south of the Isthmus. In the dense tropical forest habitat in part of their range, melanism is quite common, and black leopards have a selective advantage for ambush.
Distribution and habitat
The Indochinese leopard inhabits MyanmarMyanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, Malaysia, Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
, Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
and South China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
In Myanmar's Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary
Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary
Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve of Burma. It is located in Kanbalu Township in Sagaing Division. It occupies an area of and was established in 1941.-References:*...
, leopards declined so drastically between the 1940s–80s, that by 2000 were estimated being close to locally extinct.
Since the mid-1990s, leopard-oriented field research was carried out in only two protected areas in Thailand:
- In 1996, three leopards were fitted with radio-collars in the south–central part of Kaeng Krachan National ParkKaeng Krachan National ParkKaeng Krachan is the largest national park of Thailand, located at the northern end of the Malay Peninsula. Due to its location near the tourist town of Hua Hin it is a popular park.-Geography:...
, a hilly terrain with seasonal evergreen forestEvergreen forestAn temperate evergreen forest is a forest consisting entirely or mainly of evergreen trees that retain green foliage all year round. Such forests exist in the tropics primarily as broadleaf evergreens, and in temperate and boreal latitudes primarily as coniferous evergreens.-Tropical evergreen...
. The study revealed home rangeHome rangeHome range is the area where an animal lives and travels in. It is closely related to, but not identical with, the concept of "territory".The concept that can be traced back to a publication in 1943 by W. H. Burt, who constructed maps delineating the spatial extent or outside boundary of an...
s of two male leopards of 14.6–18 km² (5.6–6.9 sqmi), and of a female of 8.8 square kilometres (3.4 sq mi). All leopards preferred environment, where prey species accumulated and offered potential hunting opportunities — at lower elevations of 500–600 m (1,640.4–1,968.5 ft), river and valley corridors, and the main road prior to higher elevations and forested terrain. Both males slightly extended their home range during the wet season of June to October. - Between 1994 and 1999, ten leopards were fitted with radio-collars in the north-western part of Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife SanctuaryHuai Kha Khaeng Wildlife SanctuaryHuai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in Thailand. It is located in the Provinces Kanchanaburi, Tak and Uthai Thani. It was declared a World Heritage Site Site by the United Nations in 1991, together with the adjoining Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary...
and followed over 9–41 months. The analysis of tracking data revealed mean annual home ranges of adult males of 35.2 –. Six adult females had the largest in AsiaAsiaAsia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
recorded home ranges of 17.8–34.2 km² (6.9–13.2 sqmi), which they all extended in the dry season from November to April. All leopards preferred dry evergreen and mixed deciduous forest with flat slope near water courses.
Between April 2003 to June 2004, 25 different leopards walked past camera trap
Camera trap
A camera trap is a remotely activated camera that is equipped with a motion sensor or an infrared sensor, or uses a light beam as a trigger. Camera trapping is a method for capturing wild animals on film when researchers are not present, and has been used in ecological research for decades...
s set up over an area of 500 km² (193.1 sq mi) in the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area in Laos. Leopards are reported to occur in Laos' Nam Kan National Protected Area as well.
In Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary on the Thai-Malaysian border, only 2 leopards walked past camera traps deployed between October 2004 to October 2007.
In April 2010, a spotted leopard was camera-trapped
Camera trap
A camera trap is a remotely activated camera that is equipped with a motion sensor or an infrared sensor, or uses a light beam as a trigger. Camera trapping is a method for capturing wild animals on film when researchers are not present, and has been used in ecological research for decades...
in the Taman Negara Endau-Rompin National Park
Taman Negara National Park
Taman Negara was established in Malaysia in 1938/1939 as the King George V National Park. It was renamed to Taman Negara after independence, which literally means "national park" in Malay...
in Malyasia's southern state of Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
, where previously only black leopards were believed to roam.
Threats
There are few contiguous areas left where leopards have a chance of long-term survival. They are primarily threatened by habitat destructionHabitat destruction
Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the species present. In this process, the organisms that previously used the site are displaced or destroyed, reducing biodiversity. Habitat destruction by human activity mainly for the purpose of...
following large–scale deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
, and prey depletion through illegal hunting. Another serious threat is hunting for the illegal wildlife trade
Wildlife trade
The international wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem, addressed by the United Nations' Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES, which currently has 175 member countries called Parties. The 15th meeting of the Parties took place in Doha,...
, which has the greatest potential to do maximum harm in minimal time.
Habitat destruction
Human traffic inside protected areas negatively affects leopard movements and activity. They show less diurnal activity in areas more heavily used by people. In villages located in Laos' protected areas, consumption of deerDeer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
and wild pig is estimated at about 28.2 kg annually per household — an offtake amounting to 2,840 kg ungulate
Ungulate
Ungulates are several groups of mammals, most of which use the tips of their toes, usually hoofed, to sustain their whole body weight while moving. They make up several orders of mammals, of which six to eight survive...
s per 100 km² (38.6 sq mi), which is equivalent to the meat required to sustain several leopards per 100 km² (38.6 sq mi).
A study carried out in a highly fragmented tropical rain forest within Malaysia’s capital agglomeration of Klang Valley
Klang Valley
Klang Valley is an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs, and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor. An alternative reference to this would be Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan Area or Greater Kuala Lumpur. It is geographically delineated by Titiwangsa Mountains to the...
suggested leopard density estimate as high as 28.35 leopards per 100 100 km² (38.6 sq mi), which is one of the highest leopard densities reported. As a result of rapid shrinking of the forests, individuals may have been pushed into the remaining forest in this area, so that their population is unexpectedly high. Leopards were mostly affected by construction activities conducted inside the forest.
Illegal wildlife trade
Substantial domestic skin markets exist in Myanmar, in Malaysia for traditional medicines, and in China for skins and bones, latter particularly as substitute for tigerTiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
in traditional Asian medicines and tonics. In China, the use of stockpiles of leopard bone is still permitted by the government by medicinal manufacturers, despite the domestic trade ban.
In Myanmar, 215 body parts of at least 177 leopards were observed in four markets surveyed between 1991 to 2006. Among the body parts, a leopard penis and testes were openly traded, along with other parts of the freshly killed animal. Three of the surveyed markets are situated on international borders with China and Thailand, and cater to international buyers, although leopards are completely protected under Myanmar's national legislation. Effective implementation and enforcement of CITES is considered inadequate.