Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is
the only Zoo in the world to breed Tibetan Wolf in Captivity and
the first South Asian Zoo to breed Snow Leopard and Siberian Tiger.
Padmaja
Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is a unique zoo in the country.
It is situated at an elevation of 2133.5 meters against the glorious
background of the mighty Kanchenjunga.
This zoo in Darjeeling is the only specialized zoo in the country
and is internationally recognised because of conservation breeding
of Snow Leopard and Red Panda. It was established on the 14th
August 1958 under the Department of Education of the State for
study and conservation of the Himalayan Fauna. On 21st November
1975, the zoo was dedicated by Shrimati Indira Gandhi, the then
Prime Minister of India, to the memory of Shrimati Padmaja Naidu,
former Governor of West Bengal. Since then the zoo is known as
"Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park".
The Zoo is striving for the maintenance of ecological balance
in the Eastern Himalayas with the following objectives :
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1.
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Conservation of natural resources and
preservation of the Himalayan animals with special reference
to research on ecology, animal behaviour, biology and physiology
or different high altitude fauna and flora.
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2.
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Education, motivation and training of
people towards the role of conservation.
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3.
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Re-introduction of rare and endangered
wild animals into the wild.
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4.
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Co-ordination of conservation breeding
programme.
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Recent success in breeding Red Pandas and Snow Leopards has brought
the zoo in the forefront in the field of ex situ conservation. PNHZP
follows its objective not only in principle but also in practice.
The zoo neither sells animals nor does it make exchanges on bargain.
If there is a need for conservation purpose, it gives animals free
of cost. While other zoos in the country are still struggling for
breeding important species, PNHZP has shown success covering all
endangered animals in the collection.
There has been a substantial increase in the number of important
animals during the last 5/6 years. Red Panda and Snow Leopard
population has tripled. Their number of enclosures have approximately
doubled during the last 5/6 years. This has elevated the position
of the zoo at international level.
In addition to the above, the zoo gives pleasure to visitors by
displaying different kinds of animals like Siberian Tiger, Tibetan
Wolf, Yak, Blue Sheep, Markhor, Himalayan Thar, Himalayan Black
Bear, Red Panda, Snow Leopard and host of Pheasants.
Address :
The Director,
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park,
Jawarhar Parbat,
Darjeeling - 734101
India.
Phone : (91-354) 2254250, 2253709
Telefax : (91-354) 2252522
