Clouded leopards are heavily traded in Southeast Asia for their distinctive pelts and for traditional medicine, creating significant welfare harm through trapping and captive conditions.
Clouded leopards caught in wire snares suffer acute limb injuries, infection and prolonged stress before death or removal. Transported animals experience severe capture myopathy, dehydration and psychological trauma. In captivity, the species shows high levels of aggression towards conspecifics, making welfare-positive group housing extremely difficult. Anti-trade enforcement and community engagement to reduce hunting pressure are the most impactful welfare interventions available.