Giggles was just two months old when she arrived at the Wildlife Waystation in 1986 from a former California animal facility.

Her unique name was chosen when she was a baby binturong, because she would make giggling noises whenever someone rubbed her stomach. She is very good natured and enjoys a great deal of human affection. Giggles knows how to sit and stand up on command, and she is always careful with her claws when she is around her handlers.

Giggles the Binturong

Although binturongs are classified as carnivores, Giggles prefers a diet that includes fruits and vegetables. Bananas are her favorite snack.

Giggles is a bonafide actress, having made a cameo appearance in the movie Gremlins II. She is now one of the Wildlife Waystation’s official animal ambassadors. As an ambassador, she enjoys being the center of attention at events which educate children and adults on the vital role binturongs play in a balanced ecosystem and the importance of coexisting with all wildlife.

The binturong, also known as “the bear cat,” is a member of the Viverridae or Civet family, which also includes the mongoose, civet, genet and linsang. Binturongs are indigenous to Southeast Asia, including regions of Burma and Nepal. They are arboreal (tree dwellers) and use their tail for balance.

Binturongs are solitary and nocturnal and have a life expectancy of 18 years in the wild. They can weigh up to 65 pounds, and females can be as much as 20% larger than males.