Clouded leopards are among the most behaviorally cryptic of the large cats, with welfare needs in captivity that remain poorly understood and frequently unmet.
Clouded leopard welfare in captivity is complicated by the species' naturally cryptic behavior and poorly understood social dynamics. Male-female incompatibility leading to female deaths is a recurring problem that reflects inadequate behavioral management. As the supreme arboreal large cat, clouded leopards in flat or inadequately structured enclosures are fundamentally environmentally deprived. Better behavioral research linked to exhibit design improvements is urgently needed for this species.