Thailand Breeding Programs, Leopard Show, Wildlife Conservation

The clouded leopards were fairly common in our wildlife parks and sanctuaries but today they are rare and seriously endangered. This is due to deforestation, pet trade and poaching of these animals for it beautiful patterned skin.

Currently, the Zoological Park Organization (ZPO) has 27 heads of clouded leopards and this is reasonably a large captive population of clouded leopards compared to the other zoos in the region where the success of breeding these cats in captivity had been low. The reason would have been basically due to poor understanding of the captive management of Clouded leopards. The financial resources are limited and there is no proper breeding programs planned for this cat in our institution on a proper scale.

The proposed breeding programs will be the first of its kind. If the program succeeds, it will provide sufficient population for final reintroduction into our forest. The program will be a key avenue for future understanding of the species itself and provide the best ability of mankind to protect himself by protecting his own environment. The clouded leopard is one of the species, which is essential for the eco-balance of the environment.

To achieve this target the management has decided to seek the assistance of various local and international institutions, foundation and association to come forward to provide assistance in the success of this program. Ex-situ captive breading of wildlife needs serious support from various organization to conserve the existing population in captivity.

The Program helps bring together various population scattered all over regional zoos so that ex-situ population can be bred in a planned basis.

PROJECT DURATION

The total program has been planned for a period of three years and total funding required for three years will be 20,000,000 (twenty million) Thai Baht. Any contributions from any private association or institution are most welcome.

PREPARED BY

Mr. Pisit na Patalung, Director General Zoological Park Organization, Thailand

Dr. Ratna Kumar Duraisingam, (Wildlife Veterinarian & Behavior Enrichment Consultant), Asian Wildlife Consultancy Co., Ltd, Thailand

Mr. Rick Schwartz Director Nashville Zoo, Nashville, Tennessee

Dr. Wanchai Tunwattana, Curator General, Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Chonburi, Thailand

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

Zoological Park Organization

Under the Royal Patronage of HM the King, 71, Rama V Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300 Thailand.

Nashville Zoo

377 Nolensville Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37211, USA

SSP Coordinator–Clouded leopard, John Ball Zoological Gardens

1300 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids, IA 49504,USA

HKS DESIGNER AND CONSULTANT INTERNATIONAL COMPANY LTD.

51/50 Ramintra Soi 5, Ramintra Road, Anusawari, Bangkhen Bangkok 10220, Thailand

National Zoological Park

Conservation and Research Center, Smithsonian, Front Royal, Virginia, USA.

- Khao Kheow Open Zoo