In a primary for India, Darjeeling Zoo’s Purple Panda programme amongst prime 3 finalists for World Affiliation of Zoos and Aquariums conservation award | Kolkata Information

“That is nice information for us. It’s a recognition of our conservation efforts. It can assist increase conservation programmes, not solely in West Bengal but additionally in varied components of the nation,” stated Birbaha Hansda, West Bengal forest minister.

Winner will likely be introduced on the 79th WAZA Annual Convention at Tarongo Zoo, Sydney, Australia on November 7. (image courtesy: state forest division)

The winner will likely be introduced on the 79th WAZA Annual Convention at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia on November 7.

The breeding programme started with 4 pink pandas from the wild taken into the Darjeeling Zoo in 1990. The augmentation began in 2022. Between 2022 and 2024, 9 captive-bred pink pandas have been launched into Singalila Nationwide Park (SNP) in West Bengal. The births of 5 cubs have been recorded within the wild.

At current there are 4 males, eleven females and 4 newborns in Darjeeling Zoo. (image courtesy: state forest division)

At current, there are 4 males, eleven females and 4 newborns within the zoo, whereas some pink pandas have been given to different zoos in India and overseas.

The breeding programme began with 4 Purple Pandas (wild origin) in 1990 within the Darjeeling Zoo. (image courtesy: state forest division)

“A number of habitat restoration initiatives in Singalila Nationwide Park and Darjeeling division are being taken up. PNHZP is taking a number of in-house and collaborative analysis works associated to the pink panda, with establishments just like the Centre for Mobile and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Indian Institute of Science Schooling and Analysis (IISER) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII),” stated a senior forest division official.

“PNHZP’s conservation efforts are additional strengthened by its biobanking and genetic useful resource facility, whereby gametes, tissues, and DNA of pink pandas and different endangered species will likely be preserved for future use. These initiatives will likely be additional continued sooner or later for long-term augmentation and conservation of pink pandas of their pure habitat,” the official added.