The Greensboro Science Center in Greensboro, N.C., announced the birth of two binturongs. The bintlets had been born on five May well 2023, to Susan (female) and Mee-Noi (male), a pair encouraged 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 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 means of 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,” mentioned Jessica Hoffman, vice president of animal care and welfare. “Only a couple of pairs continued to be productive, so that tends to make this new pairing of Susan and Mee-noi particularly thrilling for us. This birth now marks the fifth one particular in the final year all through AZA, assisting to strengthen the sustainability of this significantly-loved species.”
Binturongs, also identified as bearcats, are neither bear nor cat, but are in the loved ones Viverridae, like civets and fossas. They are one particular of two carnivorous species with a prehensile tail. Whilst thought of carnivores, their diet regime 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,” 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 offer you the basic public an educational window into the science of contemporary conservation. Profitable breeding applications for uncommon animals have now grow to be vital.”
Pictures Credit: © Greensboro Science Center
Edited by Jessica Sansarran, the communications coordinator at AZA.
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