The Indochinese leopard, an extraordinary wild cat species, is teetering on the brink of extinction in Cambodia, raising alarm among conservationists.
Years of dedicated research by wild cat experts yielded a disheartening discovery. Thus a mere 35 adult Indochinese leopards remained in the country.
Between 2009 and 2019, researchers diligently deployed hundreds of cameras across two protected areas within Cambodia’s Eastern Plains Landscape.
However, upon their return in 2021, not a single leopard spotted. Thus, leading scientists to fear that the species is no longer viable for future generations.
This disheartening decline has attributed to the significant loss of habitat throughout Indochina. In which historically encompassed Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of southeastern China.
Human encroachment has decimated the territory these majestic creatures once roamed.
The study revealed an alarming surge of 20-fold in human activity within Cambodia during the research period. Consequently, the risk of falling victim to lethal traps soared by a staggering 1,000-fold.
The region’s rampant poaching crisis, driven by the high demand for wild meat, exacerbates the leopard’s plight.
Wild cat hunters target these creatures not only for their exquisite, spotted coats. But also due to the declining prey populations caused by habitat loss.
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Tragically, the report highlights that wild meat considered a delicacy and status symbol among middle and upper-class urban consumers in Cambodia, perpetuating the demand.
The severity of the situation becomes further evident when considering the broader impact of snaring.
An estimated 12 million snares, spread across eastern Indochina, pose a severe threat to approximately 700 mammal species. Thus, including the Asian elephant and Sumatran rhinoceros, according to the World Wide Fund.
As a result, the Indochinese leopard species has categorized as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, while the Indochinese leopard subspecies is now classified as critically endangered.
Urgent and concerted efforts are needed to address the underlying causes, such as habitat loss, rampant poaching, and the unrelenting demand for wild meat. Only through collaborative conservation initiatives and enhanced protection measures can we hope to prevent the tragic extinction of this remarkable species, preserving the Indochinese leopard’s place in our shared natural heritage