Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park or more popularly
known as Darjeeling Zoo is located at the Birch Hill area (now known as Jawahar
Parvat) was established in 1958. It was former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who
dedicated this zoo in memory of Padmaja Naidu, former Governor of West Bengal
and the daughter of freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu.
This is the largest high altitude zoo in India
at an elevation of 7,000 feet (2,134 m). 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 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. This
is the first zoo in India to receive the prestigious international award
"The Earth Heroes" 2014 out of over 300 zoos worldwide. This annual
award is given away by Royal Bank of Scotland in collaboration with the British
Government.
