Almost Famous: The Story of the Clouded Leopard Project

and its Rising Star

M. O’Keefe, Staff Biologist, A. Goldfarb, Staff Biologist, K. Povey, Senior Staff Biologist

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Washington , USA

Karen.Povey@pdza.org; maureen.okeefe@pdza.org; andy.goldfarb@pdza.org

In 1998 Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) acquired its first clouded leopard. Enamored by its beauty and behavior, PDZA keepers set out to learn as much as possible about this unique cat and its conservation issues. Staff members were dismayed, however, by both how little information was available about clouded leopards and the minimal field research focused on this species. Determined to bring more public attention to this charismatic and endangered felid, Point Defiance keepers founded the Clouded Leopard Project (CLP) in 2000. After advancing its activities under the auspices of the Point Defiance AAZK Chapter for several years, the CLP Committee decided to undertake non-profit incorporation in 2008 to further advance the group’s efforts. Today this grassroots organization conducts education and fundraising programs to promote clouded leopard research and conservation. Through its website, blog, newsletter, and promotional activities, the Clouded Leopard Project is steadily developing an international presence. In addition, keepers involved in the CLP continue to partner with PDZA on clouded leopard conservation initiatives including participation in a zoo-based breeding consortium in Thailand and organization of the first-ever international summit on clouded leopard conservation held in Bangkok last January. As public, media, and research attention given to clouded leopards continues to rise, the Clouded Leopard Project is poised to help its nearly famous namesake move from wildlife obscurity to celebrity status.