The rare Bornean cloud leopard has been snapped in the Sebangau National Park in Borneo (click the picture for a larger version).

This is the first time the leopard has been shown to live in this area, according to a press release from Oxford University; Susan Cheyne, an Oxford researcher, leads the team who placed the remote cameras responsible for this photo. And no, it is not thought that the beast has laser beam eyes, that’s light-spashback from the flash.

“These cats are extremely elusive and shy,” says Cheyne (Daily Telegraph). “If they are surviving in an area that has had extensive disturbance from mankind and logging then it is very positive. As the level of disturbance in the park decreases then we hope they will do well.”

There are thought to be about 10,000 adult Bornean cloud leopards. The BBC notes that the animal was only classified as a separate species in 2007, after genetic testing revealed it was significantly different from clouded leopards on mainland Asia.

In other clouded leopard news from the Daily Telegraph: “four rare Clouded leopard cubs have made their debut at a Wildlife Park” (video from the BBC).