Binturongs are unusual, prehensile-tailed civets from Southeast Asian forests whose nocturnal arboreal lifestyle creates specific welfare challenges in captivity.
Binturongs have specific welfare requirements that many zoo facilities struggle to meet. As nocturnal animals, daytime zoo viewing disrupts natural activity patterns and causes chronic sleep debt and stress. Their arboreal nature requires complex, high climbing structures with varied substrates that few enclosures provide adequately. Being primarily frugivorous, many captive diets are insufficient — improper nutrition causes obesity and dental disease in long-lived individuals. Binturongs are prone to stress-related stereotypies including pacing when environmental enrichment is lacking. Their long lifespan means welfare problems compound over decades. The exotic pet trade drives demand for wild-caught individuals who suffer acutely during capture and transport before often ending up in inadequate home environments.