Red Panda programme gains global recognition for conservation excellence – GetBengal story
Established on 14 August 1958 in the Birch Hill neighbourhood of Darjeeling, the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park has quietly transformed itself into a beacon for wildlife conservation, especially for the endangered red panda.
For the first time, the zoo’s red panda breeding and rewilding initiative became the first Indian conservation project to be shortlisted for the prestigious World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) award. The winner will be announced at the 79th WAZA Annual Conference at Tarongo Zoo, Sydney, Australia, on November 7, 2024.
Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is a small animal (mammal) of the Himalayas, almost the size of a jungle cat with a chestnut coat and ringed tail.It is now threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
The breeding programme began with four red pandas (one male and three female red pandas) of wild origin in stock in 1990. The augmentation started in 2022. Between 2022 and 2024, nine captive-bred red pandas were released into Singalila National Park (SNP) in West Bengal. The Red Panda Conservation Breeding Project at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, is the only breeding programmes for the species.
The red pandas have become unofficial ambassadors of Darjeeling, now frequently featured in tourist brochures, cafe logos, and even tea vendors’ promotions. With global recognition from WAZA and a dedicated team for protecting Himalayan biodiversity, Darjeeling's conservation efforts offer hope that red pandas and other endangered Himalayan species may be able to exist for future generations.
