I have been doing some research on the captive history of a select few small carnivores including the banded linsang, and I reckon that this is one of two males that were bred from Cincinnati Zoo's ten-strong breeding group and arrived at San Diego in 1993.
The two males (which could possibly include this individual) could have been the second ever successful captive litter following success at the now-closed Wassenaar Zoo in 1968.
Happy memories. The suggestion that the Asian linsangs should have their own family, more closely related to the cats than the viverrids, makes these animals all the more interesting and their disappearance from zoos all the more regrettable.
This was one of the most special for me of all the new species I saw in San Diego (which were many and various), for the simple reason that most of the others I was aware there was a chance of seeing when I went. This species I had no idea was even at the park, let alone on show and in full (if inactive) view. The most pleasant of surprises.
