Latest news with #Neofelisdiardiborneensis
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Rare clouded leopard captured in viral video calmly exploring Malaysia road
A video uploaded on Facebook shows a Bornean clouded leopard roaming in the Matu District of Sarawak's Mukah Division. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM SAAT MAJUNI/FACEBOOK A family in Malaysia recently captured on video the sight of a rare Bornean clouded leopard calmly exploring its surroundings as they were driving down a road in Sarawak. The footage, which was taken in broad daylight in the Matu District of Sarawak's Mukah Division and has been widely shared on social media, shows the endangered cat on the road in the middle of an area with tall grass. The cat is seen sniffing the ground and appears to be tame despite the presence of the vehicle. In a Facebook post on June 3, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) said the sighting of the clouded leopard in the area indicates that Sarawak remains a natural habitat for protected wild animal species. 'This incident proves that the Sarawak Government's continuous efforts through SFC in preserving and protecting the state's biodiversity is bearing fruit,' it added. However, it also said the animal's appearance during the day, and in an area near humans, is most likely due to disturbances in its habitat, or a lack of food resources in the surrounding forest areas. The Bornean (Neofelis diardi borneensis) and Sumatran (Neofelis diardi diardi) clouded leopards were recognised as separate subspecies of the Sunda clouded leopard in 2007. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified Sunda clouded leopards as a vulnerable species . Environmental organisation Permian Global describes the Bornean clouded leopards as 'Borneo's largest terrestrial predators'. According to non-profit organisation Felidae Conservation Fund, this species is typically found in dense lowland and hill forests, and avoids open areas with few trees. They are referred as 'clouded' leopards due to the large spots on their sides, which resemble dark clouds, the organisation said on its website. Full-grown adults can have fangs up to about 5cm long and tails that equal their body length, which allow them to balance in trees as they wait for prey. However, the organisation also noted that little is known about the behaviour and ecology of this species. Population estimates also vary. Sarawak lists clouded leopards as ' totally protected wildlife' . Anyone who hunt, kill, keep or sell such animals can be fined up to RM50,000 (S$15,175) and jailed up to five years. The SFC said it is taking the matter seriously and has sent a team to assess the situation. Residents have been advised to exercise vigilance, avoid close interactions, and to immediately report any wild animal sightings to the authorities. The SFC also reminded the public that wildlife is an 'invaluable asset and their protection is a collective responsibility'. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Investigation on stirring appearance of Bornean clouded leopard
KUCHING: The Sarawak Forestry Corporation's (SFC) Swift Wildlife Action Team (SWAT) has been dispatched to Matu in the central Mukah Division of Sarawak, following the recent sighting of a Bornean clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi borneensis) there. SFC general manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran said the team would investigate the alleged appearance of the carnivore on a road in Matu, a video recording of which has gone viral on social media since yesterday. 'SFC views this matter seriously and has sent a SWAT team to assess the situation, which has gone viral on Facebook,' he said in a statement on the SFC's official Facebook page. According to him, SFC takes the daylight discovery of the nocturnal wildlife, which is categorised as fully protected under the Sarawak Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998, with great interest and concern and advises residents living near the location to be more vigilant and avoid any close interaction. 'Wildlife is an invaluable asset and their protection is a shared responsibility,' he said. Abang Arabi said the discovery of the clouded leopard during broad daylight and in an area close to humans indicated the possibility of habitat disturbance or a lack of food sources in the surrounding forest clusters. However, SFC views this exciting discovery as a positive indication that Sarawak is still a natural habitat for wild animal species that are fully protected. 'This proves the success of the Sarawak government's continuous efforts through SFC in preserving and protecting the state's biodiversity,' he said. In the viral video, the clouded leopard appeared to be non-aggressive and was seen eating scraps on the road during the day and did not react to the family who filmed it from their car while passing through the area. Bernama's search on the internet found that the Bornean clouded leopard is a nocturnal mammal included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, with its population estimated at only around 3,800 in the archipelago.
The Star
6 days ago
- General
- The Star
QuickCheck: Was a rare leopard sighted in Sarawak recently?
In the lush forests of Sarawak, where nature's secrets often linger, a rare spectacle has captured the imagination of many. Recently, a claim that the elusive Bornean clouded leopard was recently sighted went viral on social media. Is it true that a rare leopard was sighted in Sarawak recently? VERDICT: TRUE The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) confirmed the sighting of a Bornean clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi borneensis) in the Matu area, calling it a significant indication that the state remains a natural habitat for endangered species. The elusive wild cat, which is fully protected under Sarawak's wildlife laws, was recorded during daylight hours in a location close to human settlements — a rare occurrence that experts say may point to habitat disturbance or dwindling food sources in nearby forested areas. It said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (June 3) that it views the matter seriously and has deployed a team to investigate the situation on the ground. "This sighting underscores the effectiveness of the Sarawak Government's ongoing efforts, through the SFC, to preserve and protect our state's rich biodiversity,' it said. The SFC urged local residents to exercise caution and avoid any direct interaction with the animal. "Wildlife is an invaluable asset, and its protection is a shared responsibility. We advise the public to remain vigilant and report any further sightings of wild animals to the authorities immediately,' it added.
