Binturongs face the looming threat of extinction in their native Southeast Asian habitats d
A rare bearcat that died in a British zoo will be frozen for future research and preservation. According to SubwayPenh, the Cambodian binturong who lived in Drusillas Park in East Sussex, died on July 31 at the age of 18. He was one of only three such species in European zoos and had spent 14 years in England. The decision to freeze the bearcat was to preserve its body and genetic material for possible research and educational purposes.
As the binturongs face the looming threat of extinction in their native Southeast Asian habitats due to rampant deforestation, conservation efforts depend on the help of wildlife sanctuaries. By freezing Penh’s body, scientists can tap into his genetic legacy, fueling the fight to protect this extraordinary animal and its dwindling population.
Meanwhile, the zookeepers at Drusillas Park are saddened by the loss of their beloved Penh, a cherished member of their animal family. ”A true gentleman, lover of tomatoes, and a sweet and gentle soul, he will be missed by his caregivers and our visitors. But Penh’s legacy will live on,” Drusillas Park said in a statement on Instagram.
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The park added: “The loss of Penh is a great sadness, but through this partnership his genetic legacy will live on and contribute to the conservation of the binturongs for years to come. Together we will ensure that future generations will continue to witness the beautiful diversity of the natural world.”
Animal charity Nature’s SAFE has been tasked with cryogenically preserving Penh’s body and freezing his genetic material, including his sperm and skin cells. By preserving its genetic material, conservationists hope they can one day use it to breed more bearcats, ensuring the long-term survival of the unique species.
Head keeper Gemma, who was in charge of delivering Penh’s cell tissue to Nature’s SAFE, said: ‘It felt very bittersweet. I worked with Penh for over ten years, so although I felt sad, it was also a positive feeling because I knew it wasn’t necessarily that way. the end for him. The team at Nature’s SAFE lab immediately tested Penh’s semen sample and we received confirmation that it was viable.”
What is a bear cat?
A bearcat, also known as a binturong (Arctictis binturong), is a unique and fascinating animal native to Southeast Asia. Despite its name, it is neither a bear nor a cat, but a member of the Viverrid family, related to civets and genets. Bearcats are relatively large: adults can grow up to 6 feet tall and weigh about 20-30 pounds. They have a distinctive coat with a mix of gray, white and black fur, and a long, bushy tail.
Bear cats live in forests and grasslands in countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. They are solitary, nocturnal and excellent climbers, often resting in trees during the day. They are omnivores and feed on fruits, leaves, insects and small animals.
They are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, hunting and human-wildlife conflict.
