A curious binturong, commonly known as a bearcat, takes a closer look at my camera during an animal encounter at Faunaland Ancol in Jakarta.
Some animals make an entrance. This little binturong preferred to arrive with curiosity, sharp claws and just the tip of its tongue showing.
I photographed this close encounter at Faunaland Ancol in Jakarta. Resting securely on its handler’s arm, the young-looking binturong leaned forward and carefully examined everything around it—including my camera. Its dark coat, round ears, long whiskers and bright eyes made it look like an improbable combination of several different animals.
Binturongs are often called bearcats, although they are neither bears nor cats. They belong to the civet family and are native to the forests of South and Southeast Asia. They are skilled climbers, equipped with powerful claws and a prehensile tail that helps them move through the forest canopy. They are also famous for an unusual detail: their natural scent is often compared to freshly made popcorn. Fortunately, photography does not record smells, so visitors to my gallery will simply have to take my word for it.
For a few seconds, this curious little bearcat seemed completely fascinated by the camera. Or perhaps it was simply wondering whether the photographer was edible. Either way, I took the photograph before it could investigate any further.
- Date
- 2026-01-01