Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (also called the Darjeeling Zoo) is a 67.56-acre (27.3 ha) zoo in the town of Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal. The zoo was opened in 1958, and an average elevation of 7,000 feet (2,134 m), is the largest high altitude zoo in India. It specializes in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions, and has successful captive breeding programs for the snow leopard, the critically endangered Himalayan wolf and the red panda. The zoo attracts about 300,000 visitors every year. The park is named after Padmaja Naidu (1900–1975), daughter of Sarojini Naidu. The zoo serves as the central hub for Central Zoo Authority of India's red panda program and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.nnA zoo was established on 14 August 1958 in the Birch Hill neighbourhood of Darjeeling under the Department of Education of the Government of West Bengal with a goal to study and preserve Himalayan fauna. Its first Director and founder was Dilip Kumar Dey. Mr. Dey, who belonged to the Indian Forest Service was on deputation to the Department of Education for the express purpose of establishing a high-altitude zoological park specializing mainly in Himalayan flora and fauna. The park's prized possessions were a pair of Siberian (Ussuri) tigers presented to the Government of India by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1960. Over the years famous names in the world of Conservation have been attracted to and have visited the HZP. The zoo now contains endangered animals like snow leopards, red pandas, gorals (mountain goat), Siberian tigers and a variety of endangered birds. However, there has been concern regarding the fact that the Himalayan animals may face a threat due to rising temperatures in the hilly area.nnIn January 1972, the park became a registered society, with an agreement that maintenance costs would be shared by the central and state governments. In May 1993, the park was transferred to the West Bengal Department of Forests. The park was renamed in 1975 when Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, visited the park and dedicated it to the memory of Padmaja Naidu.nnThe zoo includes an off-display breeding center for snow leopards and red pandas. Captive breeding of snow leopards was started in 1983, with leopards which were brought to the zoo from Zurich, the United States, and Leh-Ladakh. The red panda program was started in 1994 with individuals from the Cologne Zoo, the Madrid Zoo, Belgium, and the Rotterdam Zoo. In addition to these species, the zoo is breeding the Himalayan tahr, blue sheep, Himalayan monal, grey peacock pheasant, Himalayan salamander, blood pheasant and satyr tragopan.[6] The zoo is famous for its conservation breeding programmes of the red panda, Himalayan salamander, Tibetan wolf, and snow leopard.

This is one of the famous Zoo's in India, it was formerly known as Himalayan Zoological Park. The animals are given natural habitats and are not put in small cages.Various species of animals are present there. Panda are present there.

Well maintained. The workers and in charge there are really hard working. They maintain the ambience so well. Darjeeling trip remains incomplete without visiting this place. You should also visit the museum there. Great to see such neat and clean zoo.

Open Time : Summers: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMnWinters: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (Thursday closed)nCost : INR 20 (for Indians and SAARC country residents), INR 50n(for foreigners), INR 10(Camera)nPadmaja Naidu Zoo plays host to the only collection of SiberiannTigers in India and few other exotic animal species, such as Rednpandas, Snow leopards, Himalayan black bears etc.

This park popularly called Darjeeling Zoo is spread over 60 plus acres. It is the largest and highest zoo situated at an elevation of 7000 ft above sea level. It not only houses diverse wildlife of the Himalayas but also has the captive breeding program for the endangered species like Red Panda, Snow Leopard & Wolf. There is a nominal entry fee. It is open to the public from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and closed on Thursdays. It is on Jawahar Parvat hill. The specialty of the zoo is it houses high altitude animals. The zoo area also has original flora & fauna of the region, that is now difficult to find in the rest of the city. You can spend about an hour watching this wildlife unique to the high altitude region. This is the only specialized Zoo in the country and is internationally recognized for its conservation breeding programmes of Red Panda, Snow Leopards, Tibetan Wolf and other highly endangered animal species of Eastern Himalaya.