The Greensboro Science Center in Greensboro, N.C., announced the birth of two binturongs. The bintlets were born on 5 May 2023, to Susan (female) and Mee-Noi (male), a pair recommended for breeding by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan® program. These are the first bintlet births at the Center.
The bintlets are being hand-reared behind the scenes by the animal care team and are not currently visible to guests. The team will keep the public updated on their progress via social media.
“Historically, binturong births have not been that common throughout AZA facilities and the population has been on a downward trend over the last 20 years,” said Jessica Hoffman, vice president of animal care and welfare. “Only a few pairs continued to be successful, so that makes this new pairing of Susan and Mee-noi especially exciting for us. This birth now marks the fifth one in the last year throughout AZA, helping to strengthen the sustainability of this much-loved species.”
Binturongs, also known as bearcats, are neither bear nor cat, but are in the family Viverridae, like civets and fossas. They are one of two carnivorous species with a prehensile tail. While considered carnivores, their diet consists mostly of fruits and berries. Binturongs are native to the rainforests of South and Southeast Asia and according to the IUCN Red List they are vulnerable.
“The intent of Revolution Ridge has always been to spark a revolution in new thinking and awareness about the eroding freedoms of life in the wild,” said Glenn Dobrogosz, chief executive officer at the Center. “Just like human beings, all wild creatures want to live their lives as nature intended. AZA-accredited institutions like the Greensboro Science Center offer the general public an educational window into the science of modern conservation. Successful breeding programs for rare animals have now become essential.”
Photos Credit: © Greensboro Science Center
