Posted on by

The zoo has its first bearcat – who smells like buttered popcorn! – Track report

The zoo has its first bearcat – who smells like buttered popcorn! – Track report

Bianca is a 30-pound binturong who is normally nocturnal but charms her care team with many agile explorations of her new habitat, using a tail to hold her in place and aid her movement.

LOUISVILLE – Meet Bianca! The Louisville Zoo is pleased to introduce Bianca, a year-old female binturong, or “bearcat,” a rare mammal native to Southeast Asia. Bianca, who traveled from Greensboro, North Carolina, is the first of her kind at the zoo. Visitors can now see Bianca in the island pavilion, where she has taken up residence in the habitat that once housed prehensile-tailed porcupines.

Since joining the zoo, Bianca has quickly captivated her care team with her curiosity and agility. Keepers note that she is enthusiastic about interacting during training sessions and loves climbing the various levels of winding branches and wooden platforms in her newly designed space. Guests will enjoy watching the nearly 30-pound bearcat explore her new surroundings and show off her energetic nature.

The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the premier non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo’s mission is to strengthen the bond between people and our planet by providing outstanding animal care, a great visitor experience and a leadership role in scientific research and conservation education.

Bianca, a one-year-old female binturong or “bearcat,” is a rare mammal native to Southeast Asia.

Binturongs, also known as bearcats, live in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. These arboreal mammals are known for a unique scent reminiscent of buttery popcorn, produced by their scent glands to mark their territory. Their main diet consists of insects, birds and fruits, although they are considered carnivores. Binturongs are primarily nocturnal. They have a prehensile tail (meaning they can grab objects), and the animals often use it like a fifth limb to navigate through the forest.

Binturongs are considered endangered 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 trade. In some areas they are also considered a delicacy and are hunted for food.

Palm oil production is also a challenge for the rainforests where binturongs live. To learn more about choosing palm oil-free or sustainable palm oil products, visit our website at louisvillezoo.org/palm-oil.

The zoo is open daily all year round. Until March 14, 2025, opening hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests leave the zoo by 5 p.m. The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information, visit louisvillezoo.org.

The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

For more Kentucky business news, click here.