BINTURONG

The Binturong is generally found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Sumatra, Indonesia and Philippines. It is usually confined to tall, dense forest. In Assam, it is common in the foothills with good tree cover but less so in the forested plains. It has been witnessed in Manas National Park, in Dulung and Kakoi Reserved Forests of the Lakhimpur district, in the hill forests of Karbi Anglong, North Cachar Hills and Hailakandi Districts. In Myanmar, Binturongs were found on the ground in Tanintharyi Nature Reserve at an elevation of 60 m, in the Hukaung Valley at elevations from 220–280 m, in the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Reserve at 580 m and at three other sites up to 1,190 m altitudes. In Thailand's Khao Yai National Park, several individuals were observed feeding in a fig tree and on a vine. In Laos, they have been observed in extensive evergreen forests. In Malaysia, Binturongs were recorded in secondary forest surroundings and palm estates. In Palawan, it inhabits in primary and secondary lowland forests, including grasslands with a mosaic of dense forests at an altitude of 400 m from sea level.

The Binturong (Arctictis binturong), also known as Bearcat, is a viverrid native to South and South-east Asia. It is now uncommon in much of its range and has been assessed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List because of a declining population trend that is estimated at more than 30% since the mid 1980s.