EX-SITU CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE PADMAJA NAIDU HIMALAYAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK

 
This is the only specialized Zoo in the country and is internationally recognized for its conservation breeding programs of Red Panda, Snow Leopards, Tibetan Wolf and other highly endangered animal species of Eastern Himalaya. The zoo was opened in 1958, in Darjeeling (West Bengal) and an average elevation of 7,000 feet (2,134 m), is the largest high altitude zoo in India.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             
             Himalayan goral (Naemorhedus goral Hardwicke) NEAR THREATENED
 

 

 

               Himalayan Thar (Hemitragus jemlahicuse) NEAR THREATENED

 

 

 

Markhor (Capra falconeri) Endangered

 

Black panther (Panthera pardus Drury) NEAR THREATENED

                                                Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) Endangered

 

Conservation breeding of Snow Leopard at Darjeeling Zoo :

 

Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia or Uncia uncial; Family: Felidae) is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Globally Endangered. Darjeeling Zoo started breeding of Snow Leopard since 1983. To introduce new blood as well as for effective captive breeding programme in Darjeeling Zoo, a pair of unrelated Snow Leopards were brought from Zurich Zoo in 1986. Another pair of leopard came from U.S. in 1989 at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan zoological Park, Darjeeling. Two female cubs were born at this Zoo in 1989. Two wild females were rescued from J & K in 2000. Since 1983 till 2008, 40 births took place at Darjeeling Zoo. To establish at least 4 – 5 stable captive populations at different high altitude zoos in the country before any release, a pair each of Snow Leopards was sent from Darjeeling Zoo to Gangtok, Nainital and Shimla Zoo.

       Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus himalayensis) Critically Endangered

 

           

 Red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) Endangered  2004 IUCN

 Conservation breeding of Red Panda at Darjeeling Zoo :

In India, Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens; Family: Ailuridae) is available in natural condition in the Eastern Himalayan region in Darjeeling district of West Bengal and adjoining areas of Sikkim and Assam. It is also highly endangered and the habitat is also very highly restricted. The population continues to decline due to loss and fragmentation of habitat, poaching and inbreeding depression. To increase the gene pool and avoid inbreeding, a male specimen was brought from Rotterdam Zoo in 1983. Conservation breeding of Red Panda was initiated at Darjeeling Zoo in 1989 as a part of Global Captive Breeding Master Plan. First successful breeding of Red Panda at Darjeeling zoo took place in 1994 and as a result of which 2 cubs were born. Two males and one female came from Europe for infusion of new blood in the breeding population. Three more individuals were added between 1994 and 1996. Since then till 2008, 40 cubs were born at Darjeeling Zoo.