Binturongs — also known as bearcats — are unusual carnivores from Southeast Asian forests. Their distinctive scent, prehensile tails, and arboreal lifestyle create specific welfare needs in captivity.
Binturong welfare in captivity requires tall, structurally complex exhibits that accommodate their arboreal locomotion and prehensile tail use. Exhibits without substantial climbing infrastructure leave binturongs unable to express natural behaviors, leading to inactivity and obesity — a significant welfare problem in this frugivore-heavy diet species. Their frugivorous diet requires management to prevent diabetes from excess simple sugars — variety and appropriate fruit selection matter. Nocturnal activity patterns mean daytime behavioral observation underrepresents their full activity repertoire. Binturongs are sensitive to cold — exhibits must maintain tropical temperatures. The Southeast Asian deforestation threatening wild binturongs makes zoo populations potentially important as insurance against extinction, but breeding success requires careful social management.