Master Planning of Zoos - Central Zoo Authority

Technical Session V
§ A pair of unrelated snow leopards was flown to Darjeeling from Zurich
Zoo in March, 1986. Another pair came to Darjeeling from US Zoos in
January, 1989 which gave birth to two female cubs in May, 1989. This was
the first successful breeding of Snow Leopards in Darjeeling Zoo.
§ One male and two females were later added to induce new blood and
continue planned breeding programme at Darjeeling.
§ Two wild/ rescued females from Jammu & Kashmir were also airlifted to
Darjeeling in 2000 to continue the breeding programme.
§ In the last twenty years, there are in total 40 births of snow leopards in
captivity in the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling.
§ Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park today has 18 snow leopards,
one of the largest captive population in a single zoo in the world.
§ one pair each has been shifted to High Altitude zoos at Shimla, Nainital
and Gangtok in the Himalayan States.
§ Intention is to have 4-5 stable captive population of 50-60 snow leopards
in Indian zoo, so that next step can be contemplated.
§ A suitable site is also being finalized for initiation of conservation breeding
programme for snow leopard in Kashmir.
Red Panda Ailurus fulgens fulgens
§ Project started in 1990 as part of Global Red
Panda Management Programme.
§ 6 panda received from foreign zoo and five
existing wild red panda in zoos.
§ Project was conceived by MOEF/CZA/Intl.
Stud Book Keeper-Dr.Angela Glaston.
§ Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park,
Darjeeling (West Bengal)- focussing on high
altitude fauna.
Breeding in captivity
§ A total of 37 red pandas were born in zoo.
§ Two females (mini and sweety) sleceted for
release into the Singalila National Park, -high
density of red pandas has been recorded from
the area.
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