The Red Panda Conservation Breeding and Augmentation Programme at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) in Darjeeling has been shortlisted as one of the top three finalists for the prestigious 2024 World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Conservation & Environmental Sustainability Awards. The winner will be announced at the 79th WAZA Annual Conference, scheduled to take place at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, on November 7, 2024.
Between 2022 and 2024, nine captive-bred red pandas (seven females and two males) were successfully released into Singalila National Park (SNP) in West Bengal. In a promising sign for the species, three of the seven released females gave birth to five cubs in the wild, marking a significant milestone in the conservation of red pandas.
PNHZP, in collaboration with the Wildlife Wing of the Government of West Bengal, has initiated several habitat restoration projects in Singalila National Park and the Darjeeling division. The zoo has also partnered with renowned institutions such as the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to conduct extensive research on red pandas.
In addition to these conservation efforts, PNHZP’s Biobanking and Genetic Resource Facility has been collecting and preserving gametes, tissues, and DNA from red pandas and other endangered species, ensuring a valuable resource for future conservation efforts. These ongoing initiatives aim to secure the long-term survival of red pandas in their natural habitats.
