Cotswold Wildlife Park hosts World Binturong Day to save a most unusual mammal

Cotswold Wildlife Park, home to one of biggest Binturong group in the UK, proudly hosts World Binturong Day to save one of nature’s most unusual mammals

The Park is home to more than 1,500 animals from 250 different species but one more than any other sparks the most curiosity from visitors due to its bizarre appearance and unmistakable sweet-smelling aroma - the Binturong.

Also known as Bearcats, this secretive mammal originates from the rainforests of south-east Asia and are related to small forest predators like Fossas, Civets and Genets.

They are also the only creature to emit a completely unique scent which smells like buttered popcorn. Another striking feature is their prehensile tail.

Strong enough to support their full body weight, it acts like an extra limb which can be used to navigate the canopy, grip branches and help it climb.

Binturong (Arctictis binturong) are one of only two carnivores that possess such a tail - the other is a Kinkajou.

Fundraising to save this threatened species in the wild: Cotswold Wildlife Park is dedicated to the conservation of these rare mammals and proudly supports World Binturong Day.

Now in its eleventh year, the worldwide event aims to highlight the plight these relatively unknown animals face in the wild.

Population numbers have declined by 30% in the last 20 years. They are listed as “Vulnerable” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

Main threats to their survival include deforestation to make way for palm oil, rubber and teak plantations. They are also sold as pets or used for their fur and meat in the illegal wildlife trade.

To raise awareness and funds for their conservation programme, on Saturday there was a dedicated World Binturong Day stand at the Park where visitors could learn more about these fascinating creatures and take part in fundraising activities, including the chance to win a Binturong Encounter.

All funds raised will go to ABConservation (https://www.abconservation.org/en/). There was also a special World Binturong Day talk and feed at midday by their keeper.

Since their arrival at the Park seven years ago, keepers have achieved remarkable breeding success with this species, so much so that the Park is now home to one of the biggest groups of Binturong in the country.

Assistant Animal Manager at Cotswold Wildlife Park, Chris Kibbey, explains: “Since introducing our Binturong pair in 2018, they have been doing a fantastic job of contributing to the captive breeding programme. In 2023, they produced their 8th and 9th kits here at the Park.

"Young from previous years have already gone to other zoological collections which helps to maintain the captive ‘safety net’ for this vulnerable civet species.  We are proud to boast that with six individuals, we currently have one the largest groups of Binturongs in the UK”. Only one other zoological collection in the UK has a group this large on show."

The Park’s adult Binturong pair, Dobby and Himala, were introduced to each other in 2018 and soon formed a strong bond.

In late 2019, Himala gave birth to her first cub (named Coconut). Since then, Dobby and Himala have successfully produced eight more cubs together, four of which are currently on show to visitors in the Binturong exhibit opposite the Insect and Invertebrate House.

They include breeding successes from 2022 – Billie and Bobbie (pictured top left), along with twins Barry and his sister Bennie (pictured right), born in 2023. They share their exhibit with parents Dobby and Himala.