After the birth of these newborns, the number of red pandas in the zoo now stands at 19 and snow leopards at 11.
Four red pandas and 2 snow leopards were born at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park located in Darjeeling. According to Local 18 West Bengal, these animals were born at the Topkedara Wildlife Breeding Center. Nikki and Prasanna, the two red pandas at the zoo, have become parents to the 4 red pandas.
Meanwhile, Rahala, the female snow leopard, has given birth to the two cubs. The newborns are growing under the care of their mothers. Basavaraj S Holeyachi, the director of PNHZP has given this update. A month back, the lives of these 6 newborns were in danger. Now, the doctors and zoo authorities are monitoring the health of these animals. After the birth of these newborns, the number of red pandas in the zoo now stands at 19 and snow leopards at 11.
The director Basavaraj S Holeyachi told The Telegraph that some other animal species have also bred during the past two months. Among these animals include a calf each from takin and a markhor and three calves each from a blue sheep and a goral.
The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park was founded in 1958. It was termed the best zoo in the country across all categories in September 2022. The PNHZP is successfully engaged in the conservation breeding of 10 endangered species. These species include the red panda, snow leopard, blue sheep, Himalayan Tahr and Himalayan wolf. They also include the salamander, Monal, Blood Pheasants, Satire Tragopan and Grey Peacock Pheasant.
Besides these species, this zoological park also earned international recognition for its successful conservation breeding program of the snow leopards. It has achieved this recognition from the World Association for Zoos and Aquariums. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums. This association is dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world. WAZA’s membership comprises nearly 400 leading institutions and organisations worldwide and this number continues to grow.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park also called the Darjeeling Zoo has the only conservative breeding programme for snow leopards in India.
