Can humans resurrect long-extinct species? Neofelis Nebulosa Brachyura, also known as the Formosan Clouded Leopard has been an ecological issue in Taiwan for decades due to its extinction in 2013. Since then, the Taiwanese have started to recognize and realize its significance in not only the ecosystem but indigenous culture, however, the Formosan Clouded Leopard’s extinction is irreversible and leaves irrecoverable scars on Taiwan's ecology.

The Formosan Clouded Leopard may look similar to the normal leopard. The distinction can be recognized by the cloud shape black pattern that names itself. What’s even more surprising is its ability to climb and hang opposite down on trees while the tree is its main inhabitant. Some biologists even describe its behavior as “squirrel alike”. By hanging on trees, the Clouded Leopards can raid prey on the ground like macaques, civets, and deer. Formosan Clouded Leopard also plays an important role in indigenous traditions. For example, in Rukai’s myth, the Formosan Clouded Leopards help Rukai’s ancestors to find the first settlements with abandoned water resources, therefore, they were viewed as friends in Rukai culture. Unfortunately, we may not see this amazing species anymore. 

Due to deforestation and overhunting since the Qing regime, the Formosan Clouded Leopard faces serious threats and moves to high mountain areas like MT. Jade. For more than 150 years, people rarely saw it and even its corpse. In the early 2000s, after several studies and observations, people can determine that the Formosan Clouded Leopard is extinct. However, due to the indigenous’s emphasis on clouded leopards, the government refuses to declare its extinction until 2013. And the only specimen of the Formosan Clouded Leopard is collected in the National Taiwan Museum. 

The extinction of the Formosan Clouded Leopard is still controversial nowadays while many people claim seen it in mountains, unfortunately, with no pieces of evidence like photos or footprints. Currently, the governor has lunch an issue about whether to introduce other species of clouded leopards to maintain the ecosystem. However, it can’t help much because these leopards are not native species, which may pose a threat to the local environment. In any case,  the Formosan clouded leopard has left this planet forever. Rather than thinking about how to repair this irrecoverable scar, we should think about how to prevent the next tragedy from happening.