Meet little Baloo, the UK's only hand-reared Asian bearcat
The only palawan binturong – or Asian bearcat – to be hand- reared in the UK has made his home in South Staffordshire.
Called Baloo after the character in the Jungle Book, the young mammal has just joined the growing menagerie of 21-year-old Zac Hollinshead.
The biology graduate and former zoo worker has returned from Aberystwyth University with a degree and burning desire to spread the word about endangered species.
He has moved in to a new home near Wolverhampton and brought dozens of 'pets' with him.
These include snakes, reptiles, birds of prey and small animals such as a mercat. And now there is Baloo too.
The palawan binturong hails from South East Asia. It is black and grey, around 3ft 3in long and would be a similar height if it stood on its hind legs.
Mr Hollinshead said: "He is under a year old and one of only 10 in the UK.
"This is normally a shy and reserved animal but Baloo is the only hand-reared palawan binturong in the country, so is more relaxed with people."
The species has seen its numbers decline by 30 per cent in the last 30 years.
Also known as the Asian bearcat, the creature has thick, coarse fur and distinctive white whiskers. Mr Hollinshead said: "I have been interested in exotic birds and animals since I was kid.
"I started off with my own aviary and have gradually been developing the collection ever since.
"Now I want to draw attention to the risks faced by many endangered species.
"My aim is to take them to schools, clubs, other organisations and shows so that people can see them at first hand."
He got the palawan binturong from an endangered species conservation centre in Suffolk and recently launched his own wildlife education company called Wild Encounters.
Baloo will stay with Wild Encounters as part of its wildlife education group. For more information visit www.zacswildencounters.co.uk or phone 07540 123917.
