Binturongs are large, slow-moving civets from Southeast Asian forests with strong arboreal habits and distinctive scent marking behavior. Their welfare in zoos requires extensive climbing structures and respect for their solitary nature.
Binturong welfare in zoo settings depends primarily on adequate arboreal access and appropriate social management. Without extensive climbing structures at multiple heights, binturongs spend disproportionate time on the ground, inconsistent with their natural behavioral repertoire. Their scent marking behavior is an important communication need that exhibit design should accommodate through multiple marking stations. As solitary animals, cohabitation outside of breeding pairs requires careful monitoring for signs of stress. Nocturnal activity patterns mean that conventional daytime exhibit schedules poorly match their peak activity periods — red light nocturnal exhibits benefit binturong welfare and visitor experience simultaneously.