Penh, a binturong who has been at Drusillas near Alfriston since 2010, died on Wednesday at the age of 18.
He was one of just three Cambodian binturongs left in European Zoos.
They also said he was a lover of tomatoes (Image: Drusillas)
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A spokesman for Drusillas said: “Penh had been a cherished member of our animal family since 2010 and lived to the grand old age of 18.
Zookeepers described him as a ‘gentle soul’ (Image: Drusillas)
“A true gentleman, lover of tomatoes and a sweet and gentle soul, he will be terribly missed by his keepers and our visitors.”
The zoo said that his legacy will live on as a result of a new partnership with the charity Nature’s SAFE.
The charity, which has one of the world’s first living biobanks, will use some of Penh’s cells and cell tissues to store in its biobank.
He has lived at the zoo since 2010 (Image: Drusillas)
Using advanced scientific techniques, it will be able to keep cells frozen in a viable living state so that they can be thawed and used practically in endangered species breeding programmes.
This approach includes the cryopreservation of sperm, reproductive and skin cells from deceased animals, which can be used to restore lost genetic diversity and boost populations in endangered species.
Drusillas said this will help keep Penh’s legacy alive for years to come.
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