The new binturong (BIN-tu-rong) at Great Bend’s Brit Spaugh Zoo has been named Poppy, zoo officials announced.
After her arrival at the zoo last December, the staff chose three possible names and asked the public to vote for their favorite by placing donations in one of three cans. Zookeeper Stacie Hayes said most of the children who saw the binturong — also called a bearcat — liked the name Poppy because it sounds like popcorn. All binturongs smell like popcorn.
Poppy will serve as an education animal, which means she’ll be able to travel with zoo staff for community programs. On Wednesday, veterinarians Mike Malone and Jackie Corbett gave her a physical examination. She weighed 9 pounds and appeared to be in good health. She still had some baby teeth, since she is only about 4 months old.
Zoo Curator and Acting Director Nicole Benz was gone this week. She is receiving training in West Virginia. Zookeepers Hayes and Justine Doty assisted the vets with the exam.

Serval exhibit finished
In other news, Hayes said the exhibit for the serval cats is finished and they will be on display once the outdoor temperature warms up again. The male and female cat have been introduced to each other and it is hoped that they will mate. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) helped Brit Spaugh Zoo acquire the pair, which have certified blood lines, Doty said.
“They’re part of the Species Survival Program run by the AZA,” Hayes said.    
The SSP insures healthy animals continue to breed in captivity by tracing the genetic lines.

More news
The new lions at the zoo were also introduced to the older ones in January. They spent some time together in the outside yard of the lion exhibit. There won’t be any breeding as they are all males, but lions are social animals
The zoo’s Raptor Center at present is tending to two Golden Eagles in rehab. It is the goal to be able to help injured birds of prey and then release them back into the wild. Hayes said one of the eagles definitely won’t be released again, but one has a good chance.