Challenges in Breeding Clouded Leopards

Joe Gail, a veterinarian at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, has been involved in clouded leopard breeding since 1980. Breeding these leopards is challenging due to male aggression, which can lead to fatal attacks on females. The Smithsonian and Nashville Zoos are collaborating on a survival project in Thailand. A female leopard, Puk Luk, was severely injured by a male and had her leg amputated. Despite her injury, she adapts well but is removed from the breeding program. The team continues to study clouded leopards to understand their behavior and improve breeding success.

Who is Joe Gail and what is his role at the Smithsonian's National Zoo?

• A zookeeper specializing in reptiles

• A veterinarian involved in clouded leopard breeding

• A researcher studying bird species

• A conservationist working with elephants

What is the main goal of the clouded leopard survival project in Thailand?

• To breed clouded leopards in captivity to save the species

• To study the natural habitat of clouded leopards

• To relocate clouded leopards to different zoos

• To train clouded leopards for circus performances

What unique behavior makes breeding clouded leopards particularly challenging?

• They only breed during a specific season

• They require a specific diet to breed

• Females refuse to mate in captivity

• Males can become aggressive and attack females

What is the significance of the clouded leopard survival project?

• It is a project to relocate clouded leopards to different countries

• It focuses on training clouded leopards for zoos

• It aims to save the species by breeding them in captivity

• It is the first project to study clouded leopards in the wild

What is a potential reason for the male clouded leopard's aggression?

• A mysterious behavior unique to males

• A natural instinct to dominate

• A lack of space in the enclosure

• A reaction to being in captivity

What happened to the female clouded leopard named Pukl?

• She was successfully bred and had cubs

• She escaped from the zoo

• She was relocated to another zoo

• She was attacked by a male and lost a leg

How did the team respond to Pukl's attack?

• They paired her with another male for breeding

• They released her back into the wild

• They amputated her leg to save her life

• They relocated her to a different zoo

What was the outcome of the attack on Pukl?

• She was able to breed successfully afterwards

• She was found in a pool of blood and needed medical attention

• She escaped and was never found

• She was unharmed and continued to live with the male

Why is Pukl no longer part of the breeding program?

• She is too aggressive towards males

• She cannot support a male's weight due to her missing limb

• She is too old to breed

• She has a genetic disorder

What is Joe Gail's hope for the future of clouded leopards?

• To crossbreed them with other big cats

• To train them for performances

• To unlock the secrets of their biology and behavior

• To release them all into the wild