Happy birthday, Keoki-Ann!

It’s a “bearcat” birthday at Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo in Hilo.

Friends of the Pana‘ewa Zoo in a Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 11) post on Facebook invite the Big Island to join them in wishing Keoki-Ann, one of the zoo’s binturongs, a happy 17th birthday.

She was born Feb. 9, 2009, at the zoo.

Get to know Keoki-Ann

• Her favorite treat: Bananas.
• Her favorite pastime: Lounging high in her habitat or in a box; Keoki-Ann can nap the entire day away. Occasionally, she will tumble, wrestle and play with stuffed animals offered to her.
• Her signature sleep style: Think Snoopy on top of his doghouse … except it’s a tree branch. She loves to drape herself over a perch, arms and tail drooping dramatically on either side, completely relaxed.
• Her personality highlight: Keoki-Ann isn’t shy about setting boundaries. A well-timed snarl lets Chandler, a young male binturong, know exactly where she stands. Though, she is perfectly content letting him nap nearby — at a respectful distance, of course.

Binturongs — often called “bearcats” — are arboreal mammals, meaning they are specifically adapted for life in trees. They are native to Southeast Asian rain forests.

These “bearcats” — though they are neither bears nor cats — are built to climb, balance and rest high above the ground with their strong claws and a prehensile tail that acts like a fifth limb.

Binturongs typically live 15 to 18 years in the wild; however, under professional care they can live 25-plus years.

Renovations to Keoki-Ann and Chandler’s habitat were completed a year ago.

It was definitely a nice upgrade just in time for her 16th birthday and creating a more functional living space for them both. Elevated trees, expanded perching areas and enrichment opportunities in the renovated habitat are designed to stimulate their natural behaviors.

The enhancements encourage more climbing, scent-marking, foraging and exploration — all essential to the well-being of this incredible species.

So next time you visit Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo, look up … you’ll likely find Keoki-Ann Snoopy-style, draped over her favorite branch and soaking up some Hawai‘i sunshine.