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Binturongs are protected from trade under CITES Appendix III
restrictions. Binturongs are found only in dense high forests
from Burma to Indochina and the Malay Peninsula and on Sumatra,
Bangka, Java, the Rhio Archipelago, Borneo and Palawan. This animal
is not considered to be threatened in most of its range although
it is under increasing pressure as its habitat is destroyed by
logging and clearing for agriculture. In certain parts of its
range, the binturong is considered to be vulnerable by the IUCN.
This species occurs nowhere in great numbers and its status in
the wild is relatively unknown. Binturongs are beginning to be
threatened by poachers hunting them for their meat and for their
use in the Chinese aphrodisiac trade. They are also sold in the
pet trade. In Laos, a binturong in the open market fetches the
equivalent of $3 US. However, in the exotic pet trade in the US,
a young, healthy individual of breeding age can cost anywhere
from $1500-$2500.
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