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Wilting, A.; Feldhaar, H.; Fischer, F.
The Elusive Sundaland Clouded Leopard: Reclassified and What Now? Common or Threatened in Sabah, Malaysia?
2007  Conference Proceeding

Recently the reclassification of Bornean clouded leopards (_Neofelis nebulosa diardi_) to species level (_N. diardi_) was suggested. Our molecular data support this reclassification by wider sampling. Furthermore we show that Sumatran animals cluster with specimens from Borneo in comparison to mainland individuals, providing evidence that Sumatran individuals belong also to _N. diardi_. A significant population subdivision was apparent among _N. diardi_ between Sumatran and Bornean individuals and we suggest the recognition of two subspecies. For conservation purposes this subdivision necessitates separate conservation strategies. During field work conducted in Tabin Wildlife Reserve (Sabah, Malaysia) we aimed to fill up the tremendous knowledge gap concerning distribution, status and ecology of Sundaland clouded leopards. We applied a track classification method to obtain a rough population estimate of 9 individuals/100 kmę in the study area. Our landscape analysis in Sabah confirmed the presence of clouded leopards in 25% of Sabah's surface. However, only four isolated areas covering 5% of Sabah are classified as totally protected reserves and in the remaining areas selective logging and licensed hunting are permitted. Our preliminary assessment in Sabah shows that _N. diardi_ might be under heavy pressure of extinction and a higher priority should be placed to protect this species.

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