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Rare Javan leopard spotted in West Java
The Javan leopard, a critically endangered subspecies, has been sighted at the Cikepuh conservation park in Sukabumi, West Java.
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A Javan leopard has been captured on camera at a conservation park in West Java. (JP/File)
The Javan leopard, a critically endangered subspecies, has been sighted at the Cikepuh conservation park in Sukabumi, West Java.
The sighting of four leopards is significant as it is believed there were fewer than 250 adults of productive age left in 2008, with a rapidly decreasing population due to habitat loss, poaching and prey depletion.
The West Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) caught the leopards on camera from July to August 2016 along trails found by local people and researchers.
“The 28-day observation captured seven video frames that show the leopards’ activities at the Cikepuh park.
"Three leopards with yellow spots and another with black spots were filmed,” Environment and Forestry Ministry spokesman Djati Witjaksono Hadi said.
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The ministry estimates that 12 leopards live in the park.
“Further observation is needed to determine the exact number of leopards as well as the sex ratio,” Djati said.
The park was thought to have no Javan leopards within its confines due to half of the area being degraded from 1998 to 2001.
The discovery indicates the success of the rehabilitation and restoration of the Cikepuh conservation park. (dan)
