Rare ‘Bearcat’ who died at UK zoo to be cryogenically frozen

A rare bear cat that died in a UK zoo will be frozen for future study and preservation. According to SubwayPenh, the Cambodian binturong who lived in Drusillas Park in East Sussex, died aged 18 on 31 July. He was one of only three of his kind in European zoos and had spent 14 years in England. The decision to freeze the bearcat was to preserve its body and genetic material for possible research and educational purposes.

As binturongs face the imminent threat of extinction in their native Southeast Asian habitats due to rampant deforestation, conservation efforts depend on help from wildlife sanctuaries. By freezing Penh’s body, scientists can explore its genetic legacy, fueling the fight to protect this extraordinary animal and its dwindling population.

Meanwhile, zookeepers at Drusillas Park are saddened by the loss of their beloved Penh, a beloved member of their animal family. ”A true gentleman, tomato lover and a sweet, gentle soul, he will be missed by his keepers and our visitors. But Penh’s legacy will live on,” Drusillas Park said in a statement on Instagram.

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The park added: “The loss of Penh is a great sadness, but through this collaboration, its genetic legacy will live on, contributing to the conservation of binturongs for years to come. Together, we ensure that future generations will continue to witness the wonderful diversity of the natural world.”

Animal charity Nature’s SAFE was tasked with cryogenically preserving Penh’s body by freezing his genetic material, including sperm and skin cells. By preserving their genetic material, conservationists hope to one day use it to breed more bears, helping to ensure the long-term survival of this unique species.

Boss Gemma, in charge of delivering Penh’s cell tissue to Nature’s SAFE, said: ”It was very bittersweet, I’ve worked with Penh for over a decade, so although I felt sad, it was also a positive feeling to know that it wasn’t necessarily the end for him. The Nature’s SAFE laboratory team immediately tested the sperm sample from Penh and we had confirmation that it was viable.”

What is a bear cat?

A bearcat, also known as a binturong (Arctictis binturong), is a unique and fascinating animal native to 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. Bearcats are relatively large, with adults reaching up to 1.8 meters in length and weighing around 9 to 18 kg. They have a distinctive coat with a mix of gray, white, and black fur, and a long, bushy tail.

Bearcats inhabit forests and grasslands in 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, feeding on fruits, leaves, insects and small animals.

They are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, hunting, and human-wildlife conflicts.