Trail cameras capture rare footage of elusive leopard species, dubbed 'the ghost of the forest'

Researchers recently released rare footage of the Sunda clouded leopard, an elusive species native to the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. The new study, published in the journal Biotropica, features an 8.5-year-old female leopard. She represents the oldest wild female of her kind ever recorded in history. These animals remain difficult to track because they blend into their environment and prefer to stay within the canopy, earning them the nickname ghosts of the forest.

The project involved a collaboration between the Sabah Forestry Department, the Sabah Wildlife Department, and the conservation organization Panthera. By placing trail cameras across three reserves in Sabah from 2007 to 2023, the team monitored 52 adult leopards. The findings provide the first look at the lifespan of females in their natural habitat. This data is critical for experts working to protect a population currently listed as vulnerable.

Data gathered during the study revealed surprising insights into the behavior of these cats. The species moves across larger distances than biologists once assumed, with some individuals traveling up to 22 miles between separate forest zones. The study also determined that females are 68 percent more difficult to detect than males. Their physical build is more slender than their male counterparts, and their longer, fluffier tails aid in balance while they navigate the trees.

Lead author Katharina Kasper highlights that the difference in detection rates stems from specific habits. Males often spend time patrolling and marking territory on the ground, which makes them easier to capture on camera. Females spend most of their time in the tree canopy, far from the reach of ground-based motion sensors. Understanding these distinct habits helps adjust how conservationists monitor the species moving forward.

Conservation efforts face pressure from habitat fragmentation and deforestation. With fewer than 10,000 individuals left in the wild, the information gained from this long-term study serves as a guide for future protection strategies. By establishing accurate life-history estimates, biologists have a baseline to measure the health of the population and ensure these cats remain in the wild for generations to come.