The Greensboro Science Center in Greensboro, N.C., announced the birth of two binturongs. The bintlets have been born on five May well 2023, to Susan (female) and Mee-Noi (male), a pair advised for breeding by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan® program. These are the very first bintlet births at the Center.

The bintlets are becoming hand-reared behind the scenes by the animal care group and are not at present visible to guests. The group will maintain the public updated on their progress by way of social media.

“Historically, binturong births have not been that popular all through AZA facilities and the population has been on a downward trend more than the final 20 years,” mentioned Jessica Hoffman, vice president of animal care and welfare. “Only a handful of pairs continued to be prosperous, so that tends to make this new pairing of Susan and Mee-noi specifically thrilling for us. This birth now marks the fifth 1 in the final year all through AZA, assisting to strengthen the sustainability of this substantially-loved species.”

Binturongs, also recognized as bearcats, are neither bear nor cat, but are in the family members Viverridae, like civets and fossas. They are 1 of two carnivorous species with a prehensile tail. Although deemed carnivores, their diet regime consists largely of fruits and berries. Binturongs are native to the rainforests of South and Southeast Asia and according to the IUCN Red List they are vulnerable.

“The intent of Revolution Ridge has constantly been to spark a revolution in new pondering and awareness about the eroding freedoms of life in the wild,” mentioned Glenn Dobrogosz, chief executive officer at the Center. “Just like human beings, all wild creatures want to reside their lives as nature intended. AZA-accredited institutions like the Greensboro Science Center supply the basic public an educational window into the science of modern day conservation. Productive breeding applications for uncommon animals have now turn out to be necessary.”

Photographs Credit: © Greensboro Science Center

Edited by Jessica Sansarran, the communications coordinator at AZA. 

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