Scotland’s first binturong cubs aren’t just cute, they also smell of hot buttered popcorn

Chances are you’ve never heard of the binturong, but after watching this video you’ll want to see – and smell – more of them.

Edinburgh Zoo has announced the birth of three binturong triplets, the first time the animal has been successfully bred in Scotland, according to the zoo.

That’s because the same chemical compound that gives the cinema snack its smell is also present in binturong urine.

Alison MacLean, head carnivore keeper at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, said: “We are very excited about the arrival of our cubs. These are the first binturong to be born in Scotland, so this is a real achievement.

“The trio, born at the end of January, have recently started to emerge from their den, though only for small periods of time.”

Binturongs are a member of the civet family and are, according to the zoo, notoriously difficult to breed.

They are classed as a vulnerable species.