Protecting the binturongs in Palawan

A cat or a bear?

The Pairi Daiza Foundation is actively involved in the conservation of the binturong, a species classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, in the Palawan region of the Philippines. The binturong (Arctictis binturong), also known as the “bearcat”, is a carnivorous mammal belonging to the Viverridae family. It lives in the forests of Southeast Asia, particularly in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The main threats to the species are deforestation and illegal trade, either for sale as pets or for resale of their fur and meat.

 

An unknown species at risk

As part of its conservation efforts, the Pairi Daiza Foundation supports the work of the AB Conservation Association, which works to protect the binturong in its natural habitat in Palawan. The main goal of this joint project is to protect the binturong population by improving our understanding of their behaviour and needs. Thanks to financial support from the Pairi Daiza Foundation, AB Conservation can purchase essential equipment such as a VHF receiver for tracking individuals with a collar, night vision goggles, a laptop and camera traps. These tools enable an in-depth study of the binturongs and facilitate the implementation of appropriate conservation measures to ensure their long-term survival.

 

And an unexpected birth!

February 2024 was a month full of good news for this research programme. The team in the field was overjoyed to discover beautiful photos of a binturong with young! This unexpected find is a real conservation success for the species!