Amazing Species: Binturong

© Emmanuel Baril
Amazing Species: Binturong
The Binturong, Arctictis binturong, also known as Bearcat, is classified as Vulnerable
on The IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. This charismatic-looking civet occurs
over south and Southeast Asia, with an endemic subspecies on Palawan Island (The
Philippines).
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Characterized by its prehensile tail, the Binturong is an arboreal rainforest species
threatened by the loss (or fragmentation) of its habitat through deforestation and logging.
Conversion of forest to non-forest land-uses is also a severe threat. Across its distribution,
the Binturong is trapped for the pet trade or harvested for human consumption (in parts of
Laos, it is considered a delicacy) and fur.
India included the Binturong on Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES) in 1989, and it is protected in several countries. However,
now rare throughout much of its range and declining, enforcement of legislation against
poaching and deforestation needs to be much stricter. Trade of this species also requires
careful monitoring and control. A captive breeding program is in place in Europe and the
USA.
The production of the IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species™ is made possible
through the IUCN Red List Partnership.