The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, West Bengal, is carving a niche in wildlife conservation. Known for its focused approach on Himalayan animal species, the zoo is a centre of excellence for breeding and rewilding endangered species like the red panda, snow leopard, and Himalayan newt.
In June 2024, the zoo established a genetic biobank facility, the first of its kind in India, to preserve the DNA and genetic material of endangered Himalayan animals. This facility focuses on enhancing conservation through genetic diversity, ensuring that species like red pandas, snow leopards, and Himalayan tahrs have a better chance of survival in the wild.
Red pandas have become the unofficial mascots of Darjeeling. The zoo’s conservation breeding and rewilding program is the only one in India for this species. Currently, Julie and two other red pandas are being trained for their release into Singalila National Park. This involves teaching them essential survival skills like climbing trees, foraging for food, and identifying predators.
So far, nine red pandas bred in captivity have been successfully released into the wild. Of these, three females have mated with wild red pandas, producing five cubs. The zoo aims to release 20 red pandas in the next five years.
Due to small population sizes in isolated habitats, red pandas tend to breed within the same group, reducing genetic diversity. This can weaken the species over time. The zoo’s genetic biobank and breeding programs aim to counteract this problem.
The zoo’s efforts extend beyond red pandas. A breeding program for snow leopards, initiated in 1989, has been successful, but rewilding these big cats poses unique challenges. Snow leopards require extensive predator training and suitable habitats in regions like Sikkim, Ladakh, or Arunachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, the Himalayan newt, listed as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has a dedicated conservation breeding centre at the zoo. The centre has successfully bred 50 of these rare salamanders.
From developing anaesthesia protocols for red pandas to creating hormonal profiles and studying gastrointestinal parasites in captive animals, their work is a treasure trove for wildlife conservationists worldwide.
