Palawan binturong
Arctictis binturong
About
This elusive subspecies of binturong is native to the Philippine island of Palawan. These large, nocturnal mammals have distinctive cat-like facial features and a prehensile tail, with fur and feet like a bear, which has adopted them the nickname ‘bearcat’.
They’re master climbers using their long prehensile tails to grip branches and help them climb – they’re one of only two carnivores in the world that use their tail for climbing. Their bear-like back legs rotate backwards to give them better grip and enable them to climb down trees head-first. They are primarily arboreal (live in trees), but have to descend to the ground to be able to move from one tree to another.
Binturongs are very noisy communicators known to chuckle, growl, wail, grunt, hiss and purr! They live in adult pairs with their offspring of usually one to three cubs.
Facts about the palawan binturong
Threats facing the palawan binturong
The biggest threats to binturong populations are habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. This is happening due to logging and agriculture. Binturongs need tall, healthy forests to survive.
In some parts of the binturong’s range, the animals are captured and sold into the pet or traditional medicine trade. Binturongs are also sometimes killed for their meat or fur.
Human intervention
Hunting or collection
