Context: Darjeeling zoo started a conservation breeding programme nearly four decades ago.; it now has the largest number of snow leopards in captivity in the world.
Snow Leopard
- Scientific name of Snow Leopard is Panthera uncia
- They are also called the 'ghosts of the mountains'.
- The snow leopard is the state animal of Himachal Pradesh.
- The snow leopard's fur is white to brown and has black spots around its head and neck.
- It preys on Himalayan Blue Sheep, Himalayan Tahr, Tibetan Argali and Himalayan Ibex etc.
- Snow leopards are sparsely distributed in 12 countries of Central Asia, from southern Russia to the Tibetan Plateau, including Mongolia, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal.
- In India, it is found in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.
- Accommodation Type: Forests, shrubs, grasslands, rocky areas
Conservation Status:
- Appendix I: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
- Schedule I: Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
- IUCN Status: - 'Vulnerable'
National and International Efforts for the Protection of Snow Leopards: -
Indian Efforts:
- Project Snow Leopard (PSL): The project was launched in 2009 to promote an inclusive and participatory approach to the conservation of snow leopards and their habitat.
International Efforts: -
- On the Bishkek Declaration for the conservation of snow leopards by 12 'Snow Leopard' Range Countries (Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) in 2013
- During this, the 'Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection' (GSLEP) program was also launched. India is a signatory to the programme.
About Darjeeling Zoo
- Official name of Darjeeling Zoo is Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZ).
- It is located in the town of Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal.
- The zoo has been a pioneer for conservation breeding of endangered Eastern Himalayan Species in India.
- The first ex-situ conservation breeding program started in 1986 as a Snow Leopard conservation breeding project.
- The Red Panda project was started in 1990. In 2003-04 the park released 4 female Red Pandas into the Singalila National Park. This was the first reintroduction programme for the species in the world and was immensely successful.
- The park also includes 3 conservation breeding centers, Old Conservation Breeding Center, Conservation Breeding Center at Topkeydara, Satellite Zoo at Dowhill.
- The zoo has been a part of the World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA) and Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) since 2009.
- The zoo was awarded the “Royal Bank of Scotland Earth Hero Award” as recognition for its efforts towards in-situ and ex-situ conservation, in 2014.
- In the year 2022, the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZA) ranked PNHZ Park First in all categories among all zoos in the country.
World Association of Zoos and Aquarium
- WAZA is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos, and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.
- WAZA has formed partnerships with leading international conservation organizations, committing its members to tackle global issues such as the illegal wildlife trade, coral‑reef restoration, marine litter, sustainable palm oil and climate change.
- It was founded in 1935.
Central Zoo Authority of India
- It was established as a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment & Forest in the year 1992.
- It was established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
- The main objective is to complement and strengthen the national efforts in conservation of the rich biodiversity of India, particularly the fauna as per the National Zoo Policy of 1988.
- Enforcing the minimum standards and norms for upkeep and healthcare of animals in Indian Zoos and to control the mushrooming of unplanned and ill-conceived zoos.