The distribution change of certain species is a vital aspect for measuring global biodiversity variation, and has received much attention. Based on the interview surveys conducted in 14 townships of 6 counties, we analyzed the variation trend of the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) distribution range in the southeastern Sichuan, and further compared the landscape patterns of the potential clouded leopard existing and non-existing area in 1988 and 2017. We then explored the motivating factors of the clouded leopard distribution change in the region. The results revealed as below. (1) The clouded leopards used to inhabit extensively throughout the study area no later than 40 years ago. Over the past 40 years, the distribution area has continued to shrink. Only 3 towns of 3 counties potentially have clouded leopards reserved when it came to the recent 10 years. (2) The natural broad-leaved forests were suitable habitats for clouded leopard. During the past 30 years, broad-leaved forests have always been the largest landscape in the potential clouded leopard existing area, also have increased from 40175.32 hm² (50.44%) to 47457.28 hm² (59.58%) by 18.13%. In the potential non-existing area, 2792.58 hm² broad-leaved forests just accounted for 13.67% of the total area 30 years ago, and decreased to 1695.36 hm² (8.3%) by 39.29% according to the latest data. In 1988, 14300.61 hm² farmlands made up 69.98% of the agriculture-based landscape within the potential non-existing area. And the largest landscape has converted to bamboo forests with 12199.04 hm² (59.69%) by 2017. (3) In the past 30 years, the fragmentation of broad-leaved forests in both the potential clouded leopard existing and non-existing area has been intensified, and the fragmentation degree of the potential non-existing area was even severer. From 1988 to 2017, the average of broad-leaved forest patch within potential existing area has decreased from 47.31 hm² to 38.30 hm². Similarly, the number has decreased from 14.71 hm² to 4.38 hm² in the potential non-existing area. The aggregation index of broad-leaved forest in potential existing area showed an escalating trend, increasing from 82.01% to 87.97%, while the figure has dropped from 65.65% to 58.98% in the potential non-existing area. (4) Living within the potential clouded leopard existing area, 66.27% interviewees believed that wildlife should be protected, and 77.12% interviewees were willing to establish a local reserve for the clouded leopard. As for the potential non-existing area, the two figures were 78.11% and 80.88%, indicating a stronger awareness of wildlife protection. (5) It is suggested that agricultural reclamation and hunting by humans 40 years ago were likely to generate a regional decline of clouded leopards population. Although conversion of the agricultural land to bamboo forest over the past 30 years greatly increased the total forest area, it did not play an active role in the protection of clouded leopard. Besides, habitats degradation of broad-leaved forests made the declined distribution range keep shrinking, leaving the trace of wild clouded leopards in the mist.