ABConservation is the only NGO dedicated to the protection of the binturong, a wonderful and discreet animal from South-East Asia. Our scientific programme could not work without the active involvement of our field guides from indigenous communities. Indeed, their knowledge of the field, local fauna and flora is essential to the progress of our mission. By the end of the year, new equipment will be required to provide the team for their field missions, and we really need your help with that.
The binturong is an arboreal mammal that lives in the primary forests of South-East Asia. The main threats to this very discreet animal are fragmentation and destruction of its habitat and poaching for the wild pet trade. Moreover, despite its discovery 200 years ago, there is still a lot to learn about this nocturnal and solitary species. The lack of knowledge of the binturong in the wild leads to its disappearance in total silence. It is therefore essential to study it to better protect it.
The Bearcat Study Programme (BSP) uses camera trapping setups on the treetops to observe the binturong in the wild. The aim is to collect data and learn more about the natural behaviour of the binturong (feeding, social behaviour, and microhabitat). This will result in a better comprehension of the population's distribution and size on the island. This programme is led by a majority of local people who received different trainings including scientific and tree-climbing skills by ABConservation.
The binturong has been declared vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to the threats it is facing, but we think it is underestimated. The BSP data collection will aid us in defining the true situation and to create a suitable conservation programme for binturongs in Palawan with the help of local people. On a longer term, it will allow us to have the binturong recognised as an endangered species by the IUCN and ban international trade in this species.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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