‘Extinct’ Leopards Last Seen In 1983 Spotted Alive In Taiwan

Formosan clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa brachyura), a rare species of large cat in Taiwan, thought to be extinct because it hadn’t been officially sighted since 1983. Taiwanese and U.S. zoologists also surveyed the region during the period from 2001 to 2013, but they failed to find even one leopard. So, this species was declared extinct in 2013.

However, these creatures have been reportedly sighted roaming around in the wilderness of Taitung County, Taiwan, by multiple witnesses alive and well in January 2019, inspiring a group of rangers to monitor the area. The rangers have now reported two sightings of a group of Formosan clouded leopards hunting goats, and one running up a tree.