The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) in West Bengal’s Darjeeling has been adjudged the best zoo among the 150 zoos in the country.
A zoo directors’ conference was held in Bhubaneswar on 10 September and the Central Zoo Authority released the ranking list in the Odisha capital.
As per the list, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, has secured the second position, followed by the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysore, Karnataka while Kolkata’s Alipore Zoological Garden has secured the fourth position.
The Red Panda is one of the top attractions of PNHZP, besides others such as the Himalayan Black Bear, Snow Leopard, Goral and Himalayan Thar.
“We are elated, and the credit goes to all the workers of the zoological park.” PNHZP director Basavaraj Holeyachi said.
The Central Zoo Authority carried out an evaluation of all the zoos on the basis of different parameters such as management and effectiveness and marks were given on the evaluation process. Darjeeling zoo was given the highest percentage of 83, the zoo director added.
The Darjeeling zoo was established on August 14, 1958. The zoological park is internationally recognised for its breeding and conservation programmes of endangered animal species of the eastern Himalayas, including the Snow Leopard and the Red Panda.
Meet the new ones at our zoo! #redpandacubs #newborn #pnhzp #Darjeeling #conservation #education #awareness #research @CZA_Delhi @moefccgoi pic.twitter.com/DWJ3oeFpoi
— Darjeeling zoo (@PnhzPark) September 1, 2022
