Binturongs are large, prehensile-tailed civets of Southeast Asian forests. Zoo welfare depends on providing complex arboreal environments, appropriate social housing, and enrichment that engages their scent-marking and foraging behaviours.
Binturong welfare in captivity centres on providing adequate vertical complexity and scent-marking opportunities. As arboreal specialists, they require multiple levels of climbing structure, wide horizontal branches for resting, and dense cover for security. Enclosures that fail to provide vertical complexity cause binturongs to spend abnormal amounts of time on the ground, suppressing natural behaviour. Scent-marking using perineal glands is a core behavioural need — enrichment objects that can be scent-marked, and new objects introduced regularly to stimulate investigation, support this. Diet should emphasise whole fruit with variety — monotonous diets cause food boredom and reduced engagement. Social housing is possible with compatible pairs or small groups but must be carefully monitored for aggression. Given their nocturnal nature, visitor-facing exhibits should provide retreat areas and dim daytime lighting.