Binturongs

Binturong (Arctictis binturong)
Range: Southeast Asia
Status: One subspecies is endangered, the rest are being monitored

The binturong is a Southeast Asian civet. They look a little bit like raccoons, with a long prehensile tail, but are no more related to them than dogs are to cats. They are arboreal (tree-dwelling) and are critical to maintaining the rainforest canopy through seed dispersal. While classified as carnivores because of their physical traits, they are capable of eating a wide range of food and eat an omnivorous diet, including fruit and some vegetables. Very little research has been done on this species in the wild. Much of what is known comes from a study of samples of binturongs found at the marketplace in their homeland, where some of their parts are still sought after for the Asian medicine trade. The Center's staff is known worldwide for their expertise with this rare species in captivity

Meet Our Binturongs