Binturongs are unusual civets with strong arboreal and olfactory needs. Their welfare in captivity depends on appropriate habitat complexity and social management.
Binturong welfare in captivity requires attention to their arboreal nature and nocturnal activity patterns. Enclosures that lack appropriate climbing structures limit natural locomotor behaviour for an animal that uses its prehensile tail as a climbing aid. Nocturnal activity patterns mean daytime visibility is limited, creating potential pressure to manage light in ways that may conflict with welfare. Diet management must prevent obesity — a common welfare problem in binturongs that have inadequate activity levels or overrich diets. Scent marking behaviour requires enclosure designs that allow appropriate territorial expression. As a relatively unknown species, binturongs can serve as effective ambassador animals for Southeast Asian forest conservation, justifying welfare investment in their management.