Binturongs are distinctive carnivores with complex scent marking needs whose welfare in zoos depends on providing territories, climbing structures, and opportunities for their unusual behavioral repertoire.
Binturong welfare in captivity requires species-specific knowledge of their unusual biology. As arboreal animals with strong territorial instincts expressed through scent marking, they need vertical habitat, substrates for marking, and stable social arrangements. Standard small carnivore housing that treats them like a generic medium-sized mammal misses these specific needs. Providing varied terrain for climbing, appropriate nesting, and opportunities for scent deposition enables more complete behavioral expression. Their nocturnal nature also argues for appropriate lighting management rather than forcing them into daytime activity patterns that disrupt biological rhythms.