Arctictis Binturong Conservation (AB Conservation) has gathered partners and stakeholders on May 12-13, 2023, in observance of the World Binturong Day, an event dedicated to a mammal known as Arctictis binturong, commonly known as Bearcat.
It is a viverrid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is uncommon in much of its range, and has been assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because of a declining population trend.
AB Conservation, a France-based organization, said that this is a special day that allows them, their partners, and all binturong lovers to celebrate this amazing animal and spread the word about it. Last year, no less than 50 establishments from all over the world celebrated this event. AB Conservation’s branch in Palawan is headed by Romain Pageaud, Branch Manager.
In Puerto Princesa City, AB Conservation held the event in Robinson’s Place Palawan with partner government agencies and offices such as PENRO and CENRO of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO), Palawan Wildlife Resource Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRRCC), Office of the City Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR), and Palawan State University (PSU), among others. Also present were non-government organizations, indigenous people’s representatives, and other groups.
Arctictis Binturong Conservation (AB Conservation) based in France is the first and only organization dedicated to the Bearcat advocacy.
In her presentation, Elea Delsaux, scientific project manager, said that the Bearcat locally known as binturong is considered as little known mammal with very few studies about the species. The majority of available data on its behavior, reproduction or diet comes from studies in captivity.
AB Conservation said that the main reason why scientists are reluctant to study this animal is that the binturong is particularly difficult to observe because of its natural behavior. Indeed, as it lives between 10 and 20 meters high and is mostly active at night.
Priscylia Luit, Project Assistant of the AB Conservation, said that they started the Bearcat Study in Palawan in 2015. They studied in the forest of Irawan in Puerto Princesa City and El Nido.
They put camera traps and traps in an attempt to catch binturong, the purpose of which is to study its habits and behavior for period of six months. However, binturong considered as nocturnal mammals that stayed at the tree of more than 20 meters high.
They described binturongs as not only nocturnal but also elusive that they are unable to catch them for purposes of study and observation.
Meanwhile, in the afternoon, City ENRO staff performed a puppet show, “Subaraw’ that highlights the importance of protecting wildlife habitat and source of food.
It is a story of a Tagbanua kid named Buraw who lives in the community within Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP). Buraw’s friends were Lusi, a Palawan Hornbill, and Tanding Tandikan, a Palawan Peacock Pheasant. They met Butaw, a tour guide, who brings in more tourists to their place. One day, a forest fire ignited caused by lighted cigarette butts happened and the incident wiped out most of the Balete trees within the protected area that serves as bird’s habitat and source of food. The fire also caused the demise of Tanding Tandikan.
The story underscores the importance of becoming responsible and environment-conscious tour guides, tourists, and local citizens in visiting premier tourism destinations.
Luit said that they will continue to campaign to raise awareness and improve environmental education on binturong.