Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, West Bengal India

The ‘Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park’, also known as the Himalayan Zoological Park, is the largest high-altitude Zoo in India - spanning 68 acres (28 hectares) at an altitude of about 7000 feet. This massive Himalayan Zoological Park atop Darjeeling Hills at 27.0586 N 88.254 E – just 2 kilometres north of Darjeeling city centre and is popularly referred to as the ‘Darjeeling Zoo’. This zoo is known for its impeccable treatment and maintenance of the animals, plants and the property.

Although the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park falls under the category of small zoos according to the classification of the Central Zoo Authority under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India, this Zoo is still the largest high-altitude Zoo in India owing to the sizeable area it covers. This park is a joint venture between Government of West Bengal and Government of India and is funded for its research and maintenance by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India.

There are 50 different types of Orchids from Aerides Vandarum to Vanda Stangenia whose host trees have been rally were Champ ( Michelia), Pipli ( Bucklandia populanea ), Kawla, Maya ( Eriobotrya ), katus, Bhadrashe and Buk.

The highlight of this Zoo is that it specializes in captive breeding Himalayan Alpine Animals such as the Snow Leopards, Siberian Tigers, Red Panda, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Tahr, Gorals, Tibetan Wolf,  Himalayan Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal,  Grey Peacock Pheasant, Himalayan Salamander and Satyr Tragopan which draws more than 3, 00,000 tourists annually. The Darjeeling Zoo is the only Zoo in India that specializes in and is internationally recognized for its Captive-breeding and Conservation Programs of Red Panda, Snow Leopards and the Tibetan Wolf, in fact, this Zoo is the first established Zoo in the world to be breeding the Tibetan Wolf in captivity and is the first South Asian Zoo to be captive-breeding the Snow Leopard and the Siberian Tiger.

When the Snow Leopards were transferred to the Darjeeling Zoo from the United States; from Zurich in Switzerland and from Leh in Ladakh in 1983; the ‘Captive-Breeding Program started full fledged.

When the Red Pandas were transferred to the Darjeeling Zoo from the Cologne Zoo in Germany; the Madrid Zoo in Spain; from Belgium and from the Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands in 1994, the Red Panda Captive Breedinhttp://www.99mustsee.com/control/admin_setting.php?module=placeg was launched. This paved the way for Captive-breeding Siberian Tigers, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Tahr, Gorals, Tibetan Wolf and Satyr Tragopan.

The summer months last from April to June and have a temperature range of 15°C to 25°C. Winters last from November to February and are generally chilly in Darjeeling with minimum temperature going down to 5 degrees during nights. The best time to visit the place is from the months of September to May.