Also known as bearcats (and affectionately called bintys), they are curious animals that belong to the civet family, are mostly nocturnal, and can live as long as 18 years! They spend most of their time in trees, climbing with the help of their large claws and fully prehensile tails. They are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and have become increasingly rare in Cambodia.

Also known as bearcats (and affectionately called bintys), they are curious animals that belong to the civet family, are mostly nocturnal, and can live as long as 18 years! They spend most of their time in trees, climbing with the help of their large claws and fully prehensile tails. They are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and have become increasingly rare in Cambodia.

Meet Phnom and Toy

Phnom and Toy are beautiful animals called binturongs, which are also affectionately called bintys or bear cats. They are found throughout the forests of Southeast Asia. These unique creatures have a very distinctive smell that they mark their territory with which smells like buttered popcorn!

Phnom and Toy have been at Phnom Tamao for over 10 years, likely rescued from the illegal pet trade, and given their habituation to people they are unsuitable for release. They have however joined part of our breeding program for this species and in the future we hope to release bintys into the forests of Angkor Wat as a part of our rewilding project there to return wildlife to the Angkor Archaeological site, as well as more releases at our Wildlife Release Station.

They are usually elusive animals living deep in the rainforests, however, their habitat is becoming more and more accessible by rapid deforestation and land encroachment, making them more vulnerable to poachers. They are targeted for the fur, pet and bushmeat trades, not only in Cambodia, but in all countries where they are native. These pressures have contributed to their decreasing wild population trend. Using population estimates from limited data, the IUCN has listed them as Vulnerable.

If you sponsor Phnom and Toy today you’ll help to ensure that he continues to get the best care possible, plenty of his favourite, bananas and lots of enrichment to occupy his time. Beyond that, you’ll be helping us to ensure the conservation of this species for future generations to come.

Meet Phnom and Toy
Phnom and Toy are beautiful animals called binturongs, which are also affectionately called bintys or bear cats. They are found throughout the forests of Southeast Asia. These unique creatures have a very distinctive smell that they mark their territory with which smells like buttered popcorn!

Phnom and Toy have been at Phnom Tamao for over 10 years, likely rescued from the illegal pet trade, and given their habituation to people they are unsuitable for release. They have however joined part of our breeding program for this species and in the future we hope to release bintys into the forests of Angkor Wat as a part of our rewilding project there to return wildlife to the Angkor Archaeological site, as well as more releases at our Wildlife Release Station.

They are usually elusive animals living deep in the rainforests, however, their habitat is becoming more and more accessible by rapid deforestation and land encroachment, making them more vulnerable to poachers. They are targeted for the fur, pet and bushmeat trades, not only in Cambodia, but in all countries where they are native. These pressures have contributed to their decreasing wild population trend. Using population estimates from limited data, the IUCN has listed them as Vulnerable.

If you sponsor Phnom and Toy today you’ll help to ensure that he continues to get the best care possible, plenty of his favourite, bananas and lots of enrichment to occupy his time. Beyond that, you’ll be helping us to ensure the conservation of this species for future generations to come.

SMOOTH-COAT OTTER FAMILY CLOUDED LEOPARD ASIAN ELEPHANT
BINTURONG PANGOLIN WREATHEAD HORNBILL
SLOW LORIS PILEATED GIBBON SUN BEAR