In an astonishing turn of events, a leopard once believed to be extinct has been spotted in Taiwan for the first time since 1983. This extraordinary sighting of the elusive Formosan clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) has sent ripples of excitement through both the scientific community and conservationists, reigniting hope for the survival of this iconic species.
The Formosan clouded leopard was declared extinct in the late 20th century, primarily due to habitat loss and hunting. The last confirmed sighting was over three decades ago, leading many to believe that this majestic predator had vanished from the island’s dense forests forever. The recent revelation that a solitary clouded leopard was captured on an infrared camera in the remote mountains of Taiwan raises critical questions: Could there be more of them hidden in the wild?
The breakthrough came when scientists from Taiwan’s National Park, utilizing cutting-edge infrared technology, managed to capture images of the leopard during routine wildlife monitoring. This technology has transformed wildlife research, allowing researchers to document species that elude direct observation.
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