By Hannah Van De Peer via SWNS
One of just three vulnerable “bearcats” in Europe will be cryogenically frozen – to help others survive.
18-year-old Penh, a Cambodian binturong, spent 14 years in Drusillas Park, Sussex.
The bizarre animals are often taken in by wildlife preserves as deforestation threatens their survival.
But on Aug. 9, the park announced the “buttery popcorn”-smelling creature has died.
The species is so rare, Penh was one of only three binturongs in European zoos.
Keepers paid tribute to his “love of tomatoes – and sweet, gentle soul.”
Animal charity Nature’s SAFE has now said it will freeze Penh’s genetic tissue – such as sperm and skin cells – to bolster the binturong population.
Keepers have been told Penh’s sperm is viable – which could help to breed more ‘bearcats.’
Headkeeper of Drusillas Park, Gemma, said: “It felt very bittersweet.
“I’ve worked with Penh for over a decade so although I felt sad, it was also a positive feeling knowing it wasn’t necessarily the end for him.
“The team at Nature’s SAFE lab immediately tested Penh’s sperm sample and we had confirmation it was viable.”
