# A Glimpse into the Secret Lives of Sunda Clouded Leopards Rare images captured in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra. - **Source:** [Scientific American Content: Global](https://brifing.si/source/4f066134-e06d-4415-87ef-305e3dc2aba6) - **Published:** 2026-07-17 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/253a3275-f376-40ee-a365-814def530725 ## Mysterious Leopards The Sunda clouded leopard is a rare species inhabiting the dense rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. Known as 'ghosts of the forest,' little is known about their lives. ## Camera Traps Camera traps set up in three reserves in Malaysian Borneo between 2007 and 2023 managed to capture rare images of this elusive species. ## The Mystery of Females Researchers discovered that female leopards spend more time in trees compared to males. This is explained by their slender bodies and fluffy tails that aid in balance. ## Lifespan The study revealed that Sunda clouded leopards can live up to 8.5 years in the wild, setting a new record for the species. ## Conservation Efforts The research provides crucial information for the conservation of Sunda clouded leopards. The species is classified as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. ## Scientific Support Efforts to conserve this species highlight the importance of scientific research. Publications like Scientific American support such endeavors. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-unprecedented-images-of-sunda-clouded-leopards-the-ghosts-of-the-forest/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._