Bearcat Attack at D.C.’s National Zoo Leaves Two Keepers Hospitalized After Shocking Incident

It was supposed to be a standard training session at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Instead, it turned into a frightening emergency when Lola, a 15-year-old binturong better known as a “bearcat,” attacked two of her keepers — sending both to the hospital.

According to zoo officials, the incident happened around 10 a.m. Thursday in an off-exhibit area closed to the public. During a routine weight check and training exercise, Lola bit one of the employees and “did not readily let go,” the zoo said in a statement.

Another staff member rushed in to help. In the chaos, that worker was also bitten while moving the animal into a separate enclosure. Both employees were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and taken to a nearby hospital “out of an abundance of caution.”

Lola, described by zoo staff as “a bit standoffish,” has long had a reputation for being unpredictable. “She makes it very clear where her boundaries lie,” reads her official profile on the zoo’s website. “The trick is to stay cool and give her space.”

That advice proved all too true this week. One zoo insider told local reporters, “Lola’s not aggressive, but she’s independent — and when she’s done, she’s done. This was her way of saying ‘enough.’”

Despite the nickname, binturongs are neither bears nor cats. Native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, the shaggy, black-furred creatures belong to the civet family — relatives of mongooses and fossas.

They can grow up to three feet long, with tails just as long, and weigh as much as 80 pounds. Known for their strong grip and curious scent (some say it smells like buttered popcorn), binturongs are omnivores who eat everything from berries to small birds.

“They’re clever, capable, and strong,” said Dr. Alyssa Grant, a zoologist who specializes in Southeast Asian wildlife. “But they’re also solitary animals. Being handled, even gently, can be stressful for them.”

The zoo confirmed that Lola remains secured in her enclosure and that there was never any risk to visitors. She is being monitored by the animal care and veterinary teams.

The other binturong at the zoo, an 11-year-old male named Hank, was not involved. Though the pair have lived together for years, they’ve never reproduced — perhaps, staff say, because of Lola’s strong-willed personality.

Binturongs are a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade. Once common across Southeast Asia, their numbers have declined sharply over the past few decades.

At the National Zoo, keepers use daily training sessions — including the same kind Lola was participating in when she bit her handlers — to monitor health and build trust.

“These sessions are voluntary,” one animal behaviorist explained. “If the animal decides not to participate, that’s usually the end of it. But even experienced animals can have an off day.”

The zoo says it is reviewing its safety procedures but stressed that such incidents are rare. “Our staff are trained professionals who work with these animals every day,” the statement read. “Their safety and the welfare of the animals remain our top priorities.”

As for Lola, she’s back in her private habitat — cooling off from her unexpected moment in the national spotlight.

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Source: Smithsonian’s National Zoo; Washington Post; local D.C. media reports.