A rare bear cat that died at a UK zoo will be frozen for future study and preservation. MetroCambodian Binturong Penh, who lived at Drusillas Park in East Sussex, died on July 31 at the age of 18. He was one of only three of this species in European zoos and had spent 14 years in England. The decision to freeze the bear cat was made to preserve his body and genetic material for potential research and educational purposes.
As the binturong is threatened with extinction in its native Southeast Asian habitats due to rampant deforestation, conservation efforts rely on the help of wildlife sanctuaries. By freezing Penh’s body, scientists can access its genetic heritage, boosting the fight to save this extraordinary animal and its dwindling population.
Meanwhile, zookeepers at Drusillas Park are saddened to lose their beloved Penh, who was a much-loved member of their animal family. “A true gentleman, a lover of tomatoes and a man with a sweet and gentle soul, he will be missed by his keepers and our visitors. But Penh’s legacy will live on forever,” Drusillas Park said in a statement on Instagram.
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“It is very sad to see Penh go, but through this collaboration, his genetic legacy will live on, contributing to the conservation of the binturong for years to come. Together, we are ensuring that future generations will continue to witness the amazing diversity of the natural world,” Park said.
Animal charity Nature Safe has been given the task of cryogenically preserving Penh’s body, freezing his genetic material, including his sperm and skin cells. By preserving his genetic material, conservationists hope it will one day be used to breed more bear cats, helping to ensure the long-term survival of this unique species.
Headkeeper Gemma, who was tasked with delivering Penh’s cell tissue to Nature Safe, said, “It was a very bittersweet feeling, I have worked with Penh for over a decade, so although I felt sad, there was also a positive feeling knowing that this wasn’t necessarily the end for him. The team at the Nature Safe lab immediately tested Penh’s sperm sample and we received confirmation that it was viable.”
What is a bear cat?
A bear cat, also known as the binturong (Arctictis binturong), is a unique and fascinating animal from 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. Bear cats are relatively large, with adults growing up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weighing about 20-40 pounds (9-18 kg). They have a distinctive coat with a mix of gray, white and black fur, and a long, bushy tail.
Bear cats live in the forests and grasslands of 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, eating fruit, leaves, insects and small animals.
They are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, hunting and human-wildlife conflict.
