Photographic evidence of Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) from Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh

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Abstract
Despite being considered one of the biodiversity hotspots, the mountainous region of Eastern Himalaya remains poorly studied due to difficult terrain, limited accessibility, and harsh climatic conditions. The present study used 50 camera traps for assessing the mammalian diversity in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh from September 2024 to June 2025. Among 50 camera traps, a single capture of the rare and elusive Clouded Leopard was recorded in a broadleaf forest at an elevation of 2,080 m on 28 January 2025, with additional records later obtained from two other camera locations in Tawang. This detection suggests a possible range extension of this globally vulnerable species in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, and corroborates earlier records from high-altitude areas of the state. Hence, the present study provides the baseline information on clouded leopard presence from the district. We suggest long-term monitoring and intensive camera trapping for the conservation and management of this threatened species.

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