Localization

South-Eastern Asia​

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Threats

Urbanization

Cultures, Agriculture

Planting wood and pulp

Logging

Hunting for fur and human food

Pet trade

Traditional medicine

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Population

Decreasing

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U.I.C.N. : V.U. - Vulnérable

C.I.T.E.S : Appendix III (12/04/2001) - sale possible with permit or certificate appropriate to the legislation

EU Wildlife Trade Regulations: Appendix C in India (under discussion for Indonesia) - species listed in CITES Appendix III, unless EU Member States have expressed a reservation

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Trade

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Canada, United States :

In most states in the United States as well as Canada and many Western countries, it is illegal to keep binturongs as pets. States like California have the strictest laws and ban these animals altogether. However, there are also states in which the possession of exotic animals is not regulated at all and others may apply for a permit.

As binturongs are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, their trade and import are prohibited. So, while it's probably legal to own in some states, legal issues can arise in addition to ethical concerns among other domestic issues, with a binturong as a pet.

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France :

Any animal not included in the list of domestic animals set by ministerial decree is a wild animal. The binturong is not on this list.

For animals coming from a country other than France, the marking must be carried out within eight days of arrival at the place of detention. However, this provision does not apply to animals whose stay in France does not exceed three months, provided that they are marked in accordance with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora known as CITES.

For zoological parks, certificate(s) of capacity and opening authorization(s) are required for captivity.

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India :

The Management Authority of India informed the Secretariat that the Government of India has banned the export for commercial purposes of all wild specimens of species listed in CITES Appendices I, II and III, with the exception of certain plant foods.

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Indonesia :

Binturongs are a protected species in Indonesia under the Act of the Republic of Indonesia No. 5 of 1990 Concerning Conservation of Living Resources and their Ecosystems and Government Regulation No. 7 1999 Concerning the Preservation of Flora and Fauna. Ongoing negotiations regarding the establishment of the binturong in Annex C of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations.

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In general, these laws prohibit commercial use of protected species including catching, hunting, injuring, killing, keeping, possessing, transporting or trading whether alive or dead. Commercial trade is however permissible for second generation captive-bred individuals by facilities that have been approved by the government.

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According to the law and Gomez L. & Shepherd C. (2024), illegal possession of a protected species incurs a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of IDR100mil (~ USD6,350). Based on seizure data analysis, most penalties meted out were low i.e., below 1 year imprisonment and fines of less than IDR5mil (~ USD318).

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Binturongs are also found in the exotic pet trade, especially in East Kalimantan. According to Arifianto I. et al. (2022), the owners of CV Bumi Makmur binturongs are sold domestically (across the country) and internationally (e.g., Italy, Japan, Germany, USA, Ukraine, Russia and others) and a single binturong can reach IDR45 mil (~ USD2800) in the international market.

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Moreover, it is mainly from Indonesia that the sale of "kopi luwak" ("civet coffee"), generated by the excrement of civets, but also of binturongs on the island of Sumatra, is recorded.

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Internet :

In Gomez and Shepherd's study, there were at least 594 advertisements for binturongs observed during the survey period (1 July 2023 to 1 October 2023). The majority of these were found on Facebook (97.6%), and to a much lesser extent, on TikTok (2.2%) and one on Instagram.

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Japan :

Binturongs are found in specific cafés, where people can feed and touch them.

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Laos :​

Suspension of trade in specimens of CITES-listed species with the Lao People's Democratic Republic, in line with the recommendations of the Standing Committee. Recommendation maintained until further notice.

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Malaysia :

Civets (Viverridae), including binturongs, are traded for their meat throughout Peninsular Malaysia.

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Philippines :​

The commercial export of wild-caught wildlife specimens is prohibited. Only specimens bred in captivity by breeders licensed and registered by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) can be exported.

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Vietnam :

In Vietnam, there are some recent reports of this species being kept as pets or as show animals in hotels, and the species is also traded for wild meat and traditional medicine markets, for which a wide range of animal species are hunted.​​​​