A new animal has arrived at the Falconara Zoo Park, in the province of Ancona: it is called Sankgu, it is two years old, it comes from a French zoo and it is an example of binturong, a rare species native to the tropical forests of South-East Asia. From May 9th it will be visible in the area dedicated to the forest environments of the Marche park. The binturong is often nicknamed “bear-cat” due to its particular appearance: robust body, muzzle that resembles that of a feline and slow movements similar to those of a small bear. It lives among the trees of the forests of countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines and is still a little-known species today, even by scholars.
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The curious smell of popcorn and life in the trees
One of the characteristics that made it famous is its unusual popcorn-like odor, caused by a substance in its urine used to mark its territory. It is a predominantly nocturnal animal, solitary and very skilled at climbing thanks to its strong legs and above all its long prehensile tail, rather rare among carnivores.
The binturong can reach about one meter in length and weigh up to 15 kilos. It feeds mainly on fruit and plays an important role in seed dispersal, contributing to the regeneration of the tropical forests in which it lives. According to the IUCN Red List, the species is classified as vulnerable due to habitat loss, deforestation and illegal wildlife trade.
The new area dedicated to South-East Asia
Sankgu’s arrival coincides with the opening of the park’s new route dedicated to the forests of Southeast Asia. After the area inspired by African environments, which also houses okapi and guereza, the structure thus expands its exhibition space with new species from tropical ecosystems. According to what was communicated by the park, the binturong will soon have a companion to share spaces with. The opening of the new area also coincides with World Binturong Day, the international day established in 2014 to promote awareness of this species still little known to the general public.
An animal that will always live far from its habitat
The arrival of Sankgu is presented by the park as an educational project dedicated to the biodiversity of Southeast Asia. Yet behind the enthusiasm for the new guest remains a question that is difficult to ignore: how much education is there really in seeing a wild animal live forever in captivity becoming an attraction for the public? The binturong is an animal that in nature spends its days climbing trees, moving freely in tropical forests and following completely different rhythms from those of a structure that can be visited with a ticket and opening hours.
Behind the curiosity about its “popcorn” smell and the nickname “cat-bear”, there remains the image of an animal born to live in freedom and destined instead to spend its existence observed through fences and windows in controlled environments far from its original habitat. Because beyond the information panels and educational paths, the reality is that Sankgu will never return to the forests from which his species comes.
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