Popcorn Bear

01 Apr, 2026

Imagine, if you will, a bear-like feline looking creature the size of the average dog. Now imagine that creature smelling like popcorn. That, my friend, is the Binturong.

I first discovered the Binturong during an episode of the Ten Minute Power Hour. Arin and Dan were at San Diego Zoo being shown multiple animals on their own private tour, which included being sat down in a small enclosure and introduced to a Binturong that had been walked in on a leash. It didn't really pay them much attention to them, in all honesty, but the moment I saw it I felt Cupid's arrow strike me right through the heart.

I love this stupid looking bear thing.

Since that day, my brain had securely locked away all the information given to me about Binturongs so that I might never forget it. I never thought I would get the chance to actually see one, as I had personally never seen or heard of them at any zoo I had visited here in the UK. It wasn't until a year later, when planning my birthday outing to Longleat Safari Park, that I discovered the park had two Binturongs on site named Edana and Baloo (Get out of here with those names, by the way. Baloo?????? I'm in love). Here is a video of them if you're interested!

I have taken the time to draw this creature, which I will be lovingly referring to as a bingybongy, and have highlighted some of my favourite features…

Fun Facts!

• There is a World Binturong Day! It is celebrated on the second Saturday of May, every year! Put it in your calendar because these puppies are ENDANGERED and deserve celebrating.
• They have a prehensile tail, which acts like an extra arm! They can hang from branches with it, or even use it to feed themselves!
• I wasn't joking, they really do smell like popcorn.
• They're native to Southeast Asia!
• Despite being called "bearcats", they're actually classified as a civet, and are only distantly related to cats (and not at all related to bears!)

Here are some stats, provided by Wildlife Nomads!

My Favourite Thing/s

I love the shape of this creature. First of all, bear + cat = yes. Secondly, it literally looks like someone used one of those animal jumble toys where you create a new creature with other animal's body parts. It reminds me of so many different animals. An otter, lemur, bear, cat, and especially an English badger.

I don't have a fursona but if I did it would be one of these dudes.

If you too have fallen in love with the adorable Bingus Bongus, please consider helping them out if you have the means!¹ Their wild numbers have dropped by almost a third and they are consistently threatened by poaching, logging, and the pet trade 😔

I actually struggled to find a picture of cubs because of this!!!

Anyway here is a baby bingus. I love you bongywongy.

#carnival #oracle