THE RED PANDA CONSERVATION BREEDING & AUGMENTATION PROGRAMME

List of species in Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

Name

IUCN Status

Name

IUCN Status

Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia)

Vulnerable

Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur)

Near Threatened

Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) 

Endangered

Bhutan Grey Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum) 

Vulnerable

Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus himalayanus)

Endangered

Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)

Near Threatened

Himalayan Newt (Tylototriton himalayanus) 

Vulnerable

Himalayan Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) 

Near Threatened

Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra)

Vulnerable

Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus)

Near Threatened

Red Pandas

Scientific name

Ailurus fulgens

Habitat

High-altitude forests in China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar are home to red pandas. 

They stay near water sources and favor steep slopes covered with dense bamboo. 

Nutrition

In addition to fruit, roots, grasses, acorns, lichens, bird eggs, and insects, red pandas mostly consume bamboo leaves and shoots. 

Appearance

Red pandas have a bear-like shape, thick russet fur, black limbs and belly, and white markings on the side of the head. They are somewhat bigger than domestic cats. 

Behaviour

Red pandas are arboreal, lonely, and timid creatures.

Conservation Status

India, Bhutan, China, Nepal, and Myanmar all have laws protecting endangered red pandas.

They are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 

Threats

The primary threats to red pandas are habitat loss and degradation, human interference, and poaching. 

International Red Panda Day

International Red Panda Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of September. 

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the “Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park” recently seen in the news: 

1. It was formerly known as Himalayan Zoological Park.
2. It falls under the category of medium zoos as per Central Zoo Authority's classification.
3. In the year 2022, the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZA) ranked PNHZ Park First in all categories among all zoos in the country.
4. How many of the above statements is/are correct?

A. Only one

B. Only two

C. All Three

D. None

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: 

It was established on 14th August 1958 in Darjeeling (West Bengal) as a joint venture of Govt. of India (Department of Science and Technology) and Govt. of West Bengal (Department of Education).

It was formerly known as Himalayan Zoological Park.

The Park was converted into a registered Society in 1972 under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, of 1961. 

With this the maintenance cost of the zoo is to be shared by the Center and State Governments.

The Society in May 1993 was transferred to the Department of Forests, Govt. of West Bengal. At the Govt. of India level the Zoological Park is under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

In 1975, Late Smt. Indira Gandhi the then Prime Minister of India renamed the Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling as Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, in Memory of the Late Smt. Padmaja Naidu, ex-governor of West Bengal.

Statement 2 is correct: 

The Zoological Park falls under the category of medium zoos as per Central Zoo Authority's classification but is the largest high altitude zoo in the country (India).

Statement 3 is correct: 

The zoo has been a part of the World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA) since 2009.

The zoo was awarded the “Royal Bank of Scotland Earth Hero Award” as recognition for its efforts towards in-situ and ex-situ conservation, in 2014.

In the year 2022, the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZA) ranked PNHZ Park First in all categories among all zoos in the country.