Zoo biologists help save endangered leopards

January 29th, 2009 • Related • Filed Under

Clouded leopards are in danger with a declining number in the wild and only 75 in North American zoos. But three Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium staff members are working tirelessly to ensure the long-term survival of these shy, elusive cats in the wild and in zoos.

“There is still time to save these beautiful animals if we act quickly,” said zoo general curator Karen Goodrowe Beck.

This week, Goodrowe Beck and senior staff biologist Karen Povey will travel to Bangkok, Thailand to help develop a regional conservation action plan to protect wild clouded leopards in Southeast Asia. The first ever international Clouded Leopard and Small Felid (Cat) Conservation Summit will bring together more than 50 experts in field research, wildlife trade, and community education to develop creative solutions that address the needs of the wild cats and the people who live in the region.

PHOTO COURTESY OF POINT DEFIANCE ZOO & AQUARIUM

Next month zoo biologist Andy Goldfarb will head to Chonburi, Thailand where he will spend nine weeks at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo overseeing its clouded leopard breeding program. Thirty-eight cubs have been born and six have been imported to the United States to improve the genetic diversity of clouded leopards in zoos since Thailand Clouded Leopard Consortium launched the breeding program seven years ago.

Goodrowe Beck said the commitment and expertise of Povey, Goldfarb and other staff will put the Tacoma zoo in a strong position to receive clouded leopard cubs from the zoo-based breeding program in the future. Point Defiance is already home to two 10-year-old clouded leopards, Raja and Josie, who live behind the scenes.

“Our zoological staff have cared for hundreds of cats, including clouded leopards, throughout their careers and are deeply committed to their long-term survival,” said Goodrowe Beck.

The upcoming trips to Thailand will be Povey’s third and Goldfarb’s fifth on behalf of clouded leopards. All travel-related costs are paid through grants and donations.

Goldfarb called his five stints at the zoo in Thailand “the hardest job I have ever had by far.” But he said he loves the work and does it for the cats. “When people experience these animals up close, it inspires them to work hard to save them,” he said.

“Saving these rare wild cats will require creative problem-solving and long-term international collaboration,” said Povey, who also serves as president of Clouded Leopard Project, a local non-profit organization that is taking a leadership role in funding and organizing the summit in Thailand.

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