Dear Friend of the National Zoo,
The clouded leopards at the Smithsonian Conservation and Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, need a new home. They currently live in a facility that was built in 1911 and it’s time for a change!
The clouded leopard is one of the most charismatic but least understood Asian cat species. Unfortunately their future is uncertain. National Zoo scientists are doing everything they can to protect this amazing creature through research and by sustaining one of the most successful breeding programs in the world. The clouded leopards’ new home will provide them with the environment they need to thrive and ensure the National Zoo’s leadership in their conservation.
The new facility will cost $2 million and we can’t build it without your help.
Found throughout Southeast Asia, little is known about clouded leopard behavior or how many of these shy and elusive cats remain in the wild. Their forest habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate, and active poaching of clouded leopards is causing a decline in their already uncertain population. As a result, clouded leopards in the wild are in trouble.
Clouded leopards in zoos are at risk too. Due to male
aggression, decreased breeding activity, and high cub
mortality, breeding clouded leopards in zoos is extremely
challenging.
Fortunately, National Zoo scientists are leaders in clouded leopard reproduction and conservation research. The Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center holds the largest population of clouded leopards in North America. While we have successfully reared cubs since the program began in 1978, we can and must do much better.
Our research has proven that to maximize breeding success, clouded leopards need their privacy, thriving best in an arboreal environment that mimics their native habitat. Climbing high in the tree canopy helps the cats feel safe and comfortable. We are now ready to apply the knowledge we have gained over the years to build a new world-class facility that will ensure the health and well-being of our clouded leopards, and support the vital research needed to secure the survival of this magnificent species.
The new facility will include indoor homes with adjacent arboreal habitats. The habitats for each breeding pair will include a climate-controlled and quiet indoor area attached to two 20-foot-tall towers furnished with climbing structures that will simulate their natural forest environment. The towers will be flanked by a wooded area so that the cats can experience being "in the forest."
We need your help to make this new clouded leopard facility a reality. With your donation we can build a new home and a bright future for these amazing creatures.
| Sincerely, | |
| Dennis Kelly Director Smithsonian’s National Zoo |
Robert J. Lamb Executive Director Friends of the National Zoo |
With your help, the National Zoo can build a new home for the clouded leopards. To thank you for your gift, you’ll receive:
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