By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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BELVIDERE — Summerfield Zoo has a new addition to its cast of critters that has a distinct look and smell.

It’s called a binturong, or bear cat, and it carries the signature scent of buttery popcorn. The eight-week old animal, which Summerfield has named Orville after its popcorn aroma, is now available for viewing in the zoo’s animal nursery. It will join its animal shows soon.

“We are excited to share the arrival of our newest species at the zoo,” Rick Anderson, owner of Summerfield Zoo, said in a news release. “We hope that Orville will follow in the steps of our amazing sloth and be able to stay an animal ambassador as an adult.”

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Binturongs are native to south and southeast Asia and are considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because of its declining population. They smell like popcorn because of the chemical compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in their urine. That’s the same compound found in fragrant rice, freshly baked bread and, of course, popcorn.

It has a prehensile tail capable of grasping tree limbs and other objects. It has cat-like agility in the canopy and walks flat-footed like a bear when on the ground.

Summerfield Zoo, 3088 Flora Road, is a small zoo that specializes in allowing people to get close encounters with its animals.

Admission is $14 per adult, $12 per senior and $10 per child, and all proceeds go to the care of all the animals, many of which are rescues. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information visit summerfieldfarmandzoo.com.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas