Phu leaps!

Animal profiles is a documentation of interesting animals. Enjoy my weekly profiles.

Name: Phu

Age: 2 years
Species: Binturong

The binturong is found leaping in the dense rainforests in the islands of Indonesia. It is the civet family. Its relatives include civets, mongoose and fossa. The binturong is one of only two carnivores with a prehensile tail! Its rear feet have the ability to rotate 180 degrees to allow the animal to climb head first down trees. Its musky odor resembles the smell of popcorn. The binturong is also known as a bearcat because its facial features resemble a cat but its thick black fur and round body resemble a bear. Phu is an animal ambassador for the San Diego Zoo and you may see him being walked on leash while you are at the Children’s Zoo! San Diego Zoo Ambassador Rick Schwartz has been working with Phu since he was just a few months old.

Special thanks to the San Diego Zoo for lending me Animal Ambassador Rick Schwartz and opening the zookeeper doors.

Other Animal Profiles

Orangutan

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-752455

Thomson's Gazelle

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-749692

Giraffe

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-744090

Fossa
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-740149

Cape Buffalo
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-736395

Northern White Rhino
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-733391

Prehensile Tailed Porcupine
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-726400

Echidna
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-729814

About the San Diego Zoo & Safari Park
The 100-acre San Diego Zoo located in Balboa Park is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats. The organization focuses on conservation and research work around the globe, educates millions of individuals a year about wildlife and maintains accredited horticultural, animal, library and photo collections.

The Zoo also manages the 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo Safari Park (historically referred to as the Wild Animal Park), which includes a 900-acre native species reserve, and the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research.