A rare and adorable baby binturong is capturing the hearts of both visitors and staff at a zoo in Brize Norton.
Crocodiles of the World revealed the name of its newest resident – Wookie – on May 9 as part of its World Binturong Day celebrations.
Born earlier this year to resident binturongs Winnie and Willow, Wookie has already become a favourite among keepers and guests alike.
Shaun Foggett, founder of Crocodiles of the World, said: “World Binturong Day is the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on this incredible species and the conservation challenges they face.
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“We’re delighted to officially introduce baby Wookie to the world and hope visitors will fall in love with binturongs just as much as we have.”
Also known as ‘bearcats,’ binturongs are native to Southeast Asia and are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Staff at the zoo describe Wookie as full of character and say his parents have been attentive and caring.
Crocodiles of the World supports ABConservation, a conservation organisation that has been studying and protecting binturongs since 2014.
The zoo is dedicated to the conservation of crocodilians and other threatened species through education, breeding programmes and visitor experiences.
Binturongs play a vital role in their ecosystems by dispersing seeds through their droppings, aiding forest regeneration.
Their survival is threatened by deforestation and hunting.
It is estimated binturong populations have declined by around 30 per cent over the past 20 years due to habitat loss and poaching.