Perak wildlife department (Perhilitan) director Yusoff Shariff said the dead animal, estimated to be about five to six years old, was discovered by Perhilitan staff while passing through the area.

“Perhilitan hopes that road users will be more careful, especially when travelling along jungle-surrounded roads because there may be wildlife passing through,” he said.

He said the carcass of the clouded leopard was retrieved for taxidermy and research and development purposes.

Yusoff said the clouded leopard, scientific name Neofelis nebulosa, is a protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010

“The department also hopes that the public will inform us immediately if they come across dead or injured wildlife. Never take the carcass either as a whole or in parts, and offenders can be prosecuted,” he said.