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

The bintlets are getting hand-reared behind the scenes by the animal care group and are not at the moment visible to guests. The group will preserve the public updated on their progress through social media.

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

Binturongs, also identified 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. Even though regarded as carnivores, their diet plan consists mainly 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 considering and awareness about the eroding freedoms of life in the wild,” stated 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 contemporary conservation. Effective breeding applications for uncommon animals have now come to be vital.”

Images Credit: © Greensboro Science Center

Edited by Jessica Sansarran, the communications coordinator at AZA. 

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