💨 Abstract

On December 12, 2025, a 12-year-old binturong named Lola bit two staff members at the Smithsonian National Zoo in D.C. during a routine training session. Lola, known as a "bear cat," is roughly the size of a medium dog and has sharp teeth and claws. The staff members sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were hospitalized as a precaution. Binturongs are vulnerable to extinction and native to Asian tropical forests.

Courtesy: Sam Delgado