A 12-year-old binturong named Lola bit two staff members at the Smithsonian National Zoo in D.C. on Friday.
A staff member was conducting a routine training session with Lola when she bit the employee and 鈥渄id not readily let go,鈥澛犅燗nother staff member removed Lola and was also bitten in the process.
The two staff members have injuries that are not life-threatening and were taken to a hospital for treatment 鈥渙ut of an abundance of caution,鈥� the National Zoo said in a news release.
What鈥檚 a binturong? They’re roughly the size of a medium dog and are often known as 鈥渂ear cats,鈥� the National Zoo said.
While binturongs typically eat fruits and berries, they have sharp teeth and claws for hunting small animals, such as rodents and birds.
Despite the nickname 鈥渂ear cat,鈥� binturongs aren鈥檛 closely related to bears or cats. But their stocky, muscular frame and long whiskers give them the appearance of the two animals.
Binturongs are native to tropical forests in Asia. Their conservation status is categorized as 鈥渧ulnerable,鈥� making them at in the wild. Lola is one of two binturongs at the National Zoo and has lived in the Claws and Paws exhibit since 2022.
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