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Clouded Leopard Conservation and Research in BorneoThe Borneo Wild Cats Veterinary Project
Fernando Nájera, DVM MSc PhD Candidate Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. University Complutense of Madrid, Spain The Borneo Wild Cats Veterinary Project is a multidisciplinary, university-based program, focused on improving veterinary management practice for Southeast Asian wild cats, specifically targeting the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi). The project, an active collaboration between the Sabah Wildlife Department, Danau Girang Field Centre, WildCRU (at the University of Oxford) and the University Putra Malaysia and University Compultense of Madrid, Spain, has three main goals:
Anesthesia of Clouded Leopards Three individual clouded leopards have been caught to date in this study. The team used a combination of two anesthetics on the animals which they had previously used for anesthetizing captive clouded leopards. The anesthesia protocols have been successful thus far, and will be published in an upcoming paper. Hematology (Bloodwork) Each blood sample has been analyzed, recording measurements including red blood cell count, white blood cell count, platelet count and hemoglobin concentration. These records will be entered into a database, along with cortisol levels (a hormone released when animals are stressed), and studied to determine the physiological effects of live trapping on clouded leopards. This will allow for improving the live trapping method, making it more adequate and ethical for the animals. Investigating Disease Threats to Clouded Leopards To implement effective conservation measures, it is essential to know and understand the environmental threats facing Sunda clouded leopards. A major issue with wildlife health implications is habitat fragmentation. Fragmentation (where patches of natural habitat has been removed) of the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary makes felids more susceptible to threats associated with humans. In particular, feral cats and dogs could act as ‘pathogen reservoirs,’ spreading diseases to clouded leopards and other wildlife. A serological study was performed on Malay civets, common palm civets, leopard cats, Sunda clouded leopards, and feral cats and dogs. Blood serum and oral swabs were taken from all wild species, while just blood serum was taken from the feral animals. The data collected will show the potential diseases and other pathogens which may pose a threat to wild animals, and will help conservationists in planning ways to minimize the chances of wildlife becoming infected. The results from the study will be published in an international veterinary medicine journal, giving them applications across a wider range of countries. Home | Terms of Use | Contact Us | About Us | Form 990 | Unsubscribe Copyright 2003-2023. The Clouded Leopard Project. All Rights Reserved. Original site design by elephants & ants. |