Darjeeling's Padmaja Naidu Zoo Nominated For Prestigious Global Award

The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, which is popularly known as the Darjeeling Zoo, has been nominated for a prestigious international award for its exemplary work of red panda conservation. The zoo, situated at a height of 7,000 feet in West Bengal, famous for breeding and conservation of endangered Himalayan species, including red pandas, has received this recognition from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) for the significant role that the institution plays concerning conservation of the red panda. Hence, this is an acknowledgment that is fully deserving.

Darjeeling's Padmaja Naidu Zoo Nominated For Prestigious Global Award

From 2022 up to 2024, the Darjeeling Zoo rehabilitated and re-introduced a total of nine red pandas into the wild-these include three male and six female pandas after keeping them in captivity. A female panda that was reintroduced also gave birth to three cubs in the wild, increasing the number of population. A significant outcome such as this really crowns this zoo into a global superpower in terms of red panda conservation, landing it in the top three contenders for the year 2024 WAZA Conservation and Environmental Sustainability Awards.

The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park was established in 1958 and is named after the former governor of West Bengal. It is India's largest high-altitude zoo. Breeding and conservation of endangered high-altitude Himalayan species, like the red panda, snow leopard, and Tibetan wolf, are some of the most important initiatives of this unique zoo. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park works together with other countries and international organizations to protect these rare and threatened animals worldwide. This makes it an asset in the field of conservation on a global scale.

This location is situated atop Jawahar Parbat - a mountain in Darjeeling and presents spectacular views of Mount Kanchenjunga. It is increasingly drawing visitors not only because of its conservation activities but also because of the impact of the lovely location. The park remains open for visitors from 8:30 AM until 4 PM from Friday to Wednesday. Charges for entry are INR 110 and INR 180 for adults and foreign guests respectively. Children below six years are free to enter, and it is very much opened to families and visitors.

The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, as a mark of its commitment toward wildlife conservation, is determined to preserving the red panda and many such endangered animals. The zoo is globally renowned for breeding and releasing them into the wild, as one of the most prominent contributors to the conservation of some of the rarest wildlife in the world.