Meet Bianca! The Louisville Zoo is excited to introduce Bianca, a 1-year-old female binturong or “bearcat,” a rare mammal native to Southeast Asia. Bianca, who arrived from Greensboro, North Carolina, is the first of her kind at the Zoo. Visitors can now see Bianca in the Islands pavilion, where she has settled into the habitat once home to prehensile-tailed porcupines.
Since joining the Zoo, Bianca has quickly charmed her care team with her curiosity and agility. Keepers note she is enthusiastic to interact during training sessions and loves climbing the various levels of twisting branches and wooden platforms in her newly redesigned space. Guests will enjoy watching the nearly 30 lb. bearcat explore and showcase her energetic nature in her new environment.
About Binturongs
Also known as bearcats, binturongs live in the rainforest of Southeast Asia. These arboreal mammals are known for a unique scent, which resembles buttery popcorn, and is produced by their scent glands to mark their territory. Their main diet consists of insects, birds and fruit, although they are considered carnivores. Binturongs are primarily nocturnal. They have a prehensile tail (which means it is capable of grasping objects), and the animals often use it like a fifth limb to navigate through the forest.
Binturongs are listed as vulnerable in some parts of their range and endangered in others. They face threats from habitat destruction, poaching for traditional Asian medicines, and the fur and pet trades. In some areas, they are also considered to be a delicacy and are hunted for food.
Palm oil production is also a challenge for the rainforests where binturongs reside. To learn more about selecting palm oil free or sustainable palm oil products, visit our website at louisvillezoo.org/palm-oil.
Zoo Hours
The Zoo is open daily year-round. Now through March 14, 2025, hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with guests exiting by 5 p.m. The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Visit louisvillezoo.org for more information.
