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Welcome to INDRI the clouded leopard!
WAC was first contacted about this clouded leopard from a zoo over four years ago. He was experiencing behavioral problems common to this species, often due to stress. He had killed a valuable breeding female he had been paired with as part of the SSP program. He was "self-mutilating" to the point of requiring surgery. He was removed to an off-exhibit enclosure and after a battery of tests to determine if there were any medical reasons for the behavior, and was put on drug therapy. Each drug that was attempted provided little relief. The one thing he finally did respond to was what we call "Behavioral Enrichment". A practice with growing popularity in zoos, keepers offered him whole chickens to eat. Provided with an outlet other than himself to vent his anxiety, this produced results and they decided to provide for him off-exhibit for the remainder of his life.
However, due to some redevelopment plans, his enclosure was needed for the expansion of another cat enclosure. They again approached us to help Indri. No other facilities were interested in a cat that cannot be bred, nor exhibited. We were happy to help!
Zoo officials came to visit and inspect our caging and facility. They are responsible for this cat for the rest of his life and need to be careful where he goes. We were all happy to work together, as our common goal is the welfare of this sweet, beautiful animal. We all expected to see Indri respond favorably to the new quiet environment here, with the new natural enclosure our volunteers built for him. And indeed he did. He's been happy and healthy for over four years now!
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