Clouded Leopard at Royal Manas National Park Postcard

Clouded leopards are among the most elusive and mysterious wild cats in Asia, known for their stunning coat patterns and exceptional climbing abilities. Unlike their larger Panthera cousins, clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) are mid-sized cats that prefer dense forest habitats, where their mottled coats provide excellent camouflage. Their unusually long tails and flexible ankles make them superb tree climbers—able to descend headfirst and even hang upside down from branches. Primarily nocturnal and solitary, they hunt birds, monkeys, deer, and small mammals, often ambushing prey from above. Due to habitat fragmentation and poaching, they are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. One of the best places to protect and possibly glimpse clouded leopards in the wild is Royal Manas National Park in southern Bhutan. This park lies along the border with India's Assam region and forms part of a vital transboundary conservation zone, including Manas National Park in India. Royal Manas is Bhutan’s oldest protected area and a biodiversity hotspot, home to tigers, elephants, golden langurs, and rare birds, in addition to the elusive clouded leopard. Thick tropical and subtropical forests, along with riverine ecosystems, provide ideal conditions for these cats to thrive. While sightings are rare, camera traps have confirmed their presence, adding to the park’s ecological significance and its role in regional big cat conservation. For wildlife researchers and adventurous eco-tourists, Royal Manas offers a glimpse into one of Asia's most biologically rich and least disturbed habitats.