A cuscus, rather than a bear
Ailurops ursinus is a marsupial in the family Phalangeridae. Bear describes its appearance rather than a relationship with bears. The Mammal Diversity Database recognises this scientific name; older reports need care because species boundaries within the group have changed.
Life supported by the canopy
A grasping tail helps bear cuscuses move through trees. Much of their food consists of young leaves, and resting is a normal part of activity. An animal sitting still on a branch is not automatically ill; never shake a tree to make it move.
Broken canopy restricts options
Research in South Sulawesi emphasises dependence on connected canopy for movement. Separated forest patches can restrict access to food and shelter. Assessing habitat requires attention to connections between patches, rather than only the total area coloured green on a map.
A suitability map is not an animal census
A 2025 Oryx study modelled potentially suitable habitat within a South Sulawesi study area. Its results help identify priorities, but do not count every cuscus on Sulawesi. Consider year, boundaries, and data type when interpreting research maps or numbers.
Observation does not require touching
Researchers identify hunting and forest loss among the pressures. Choose observation of animals in trees without feeding, touching, or asking for them to be brought down. Cuscus also refers to other species; do not automatically transfer their range or status into this profile.
Sources & references
- American Society of Mammalogists — Ailurops ursinus taxonomy ↗
- University of Michigan — Ailurops ursinus biology ↗
- Nugraha & Marliana, Oryx 2025 — South Sulawesi habitat suitability ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.