Rare Leopard Spotted In Indonesia

Images of a clouded leopard spotted in Borneo's Sebangua National Park have researchers scratching their heads, since cats have not been caught there before.

Researchers say motion-activated cameras have captured amazing images of the leopards' presence, which they say proves the need to protect the region's habitat.

The National Park is one of the world's largest deep peat-swap forests. However, it’s at risk from illegal logging and forest fires.

The recorded images are helping a team of scientists identify what big cat species are found in the area.

"The Bornean clouded leopard is a top priority for our program," said Professor David Macdonald, director of Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, which is part of the Sebangau Felid Project.

"We are very excited by this evidence that they occur at Sebangau - a great deal remains to be discovered about these beautiful felids, which are a flagship for conservation in South-East Asia."