Scientific name: Prionailurus bengalensis
Local name: Chari bagh

Occurrence
Nepal, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Japan, Philippines and Taiwan. Lives mostly in forest scrub land especially near water and eats rodents, small mammals, birds which it drops on from above. In Nepal, this animal is found in Central Mid Hills and Terai Regions, Khaptad, Shukplaphanta, Langtang, Makalu and Chitwan National Parks.

Description
It is Crepuscular and nocturnal. They are good swimmer and climber. It weighs about 3-7 kg and 15-40 cm tall. Camera trapping methods are used to capture the elusive images of leopard cats in Asia.

Conservation Status
DNPWC 2029 Act-Appendix 1, CITES-Appendix 1, IUCN Red Data Book-Lower Risk/Least Concern. This animal is poached and killed mainly for its skin and bones and it trapped alive and domesticated in some cases. It needs to be protected as due to habitat encroachment and illegal hunting.