Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

Situated in the picturesque hills of Darjeeling in the Indian subcontinent, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park stands out among Indian wildlife parks. It holds the record of the largest high-altitude zoo in the country and is also famous for its dedicated efforts in conservation and breeding of various high altitude species of the Himalayas. At a height of 7000 feet, the zoo has spectacular views of the mountains all around and thus is a perfect destination for naturalists as well as for the devotees of wildlife.

The park came into being in 1958 and was subsequently christened after Padmaja Naidu, daughter to the illustrious Indian freedom fighter and poet Sarojini Naidu. The Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park is committed to animal conservation, with Fisher and his colleagues placing particular emphasis on animals endemic to the extreme cold and harsh climatic regions of the Himalayas. A large number of unique species from those regions are kept in the zoo as well.

One of the key features of the Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park Darjeeling  is the interesting array of animals that exist within its premises. The threatened Red Panda which is also the mascot of the park is an inhabitant of the park. Such cute creatures are kept in splendid enclosures since the zoo is also part of the breeding program for these animals to increase their population. Besides the Red Panda, the animals in Padmaja Naidu Himalaya Zoo also include Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Himalayan Black Bear and clouded leopards. These are a rare breed and very hard to come by in the wild also, making this zoo an exceptional one to get such animals at close quarters.

The zoo is not just limited to mammalians; it also has a multitude of avian species which include the Himalayan Monal and other mountain birds like Pheasants. The enhancements in breeding and conservation of these endangered species have created a global appeal, thus contributing great complicity in wildlife preservation in India.  

The Himalayan Zoological Park Darjeeling also called as Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is creamy in nature and not only offers scope for animal viewing.  It also has a well-maintained locality housing the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) within its precincts which is an ode to the mountaineering traditions of the country. 

Tourists can visit the museum which has collections in relation to the history of mountaineering, including artifacts from the world-renowned climber Tenzing Norgay, known for scaling the Everest mountain. Most importantly, while in the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park Animals, tourists can visit the Snow Leopard Breeding Centre where they can learn about the plight of Snow leopards and wildlife conservation efforts that are in place to protect these beautiful cats from danger of extinction.

 Such focus on learning and wildlife protection gives this zoo family oriented appeal as well as children are able to enjoy acquiring knowledge about animals and birds in a more active way. If you are hoping to visit the pristine park it is good to observe the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park opening hours. The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park Timings from 8.30 AM to 4.30 PM all days of the week except for Thursday when the park is closed. It is also advisable that the guests visit early in the morning when the animals roam about more actively than in the other parts of the day. 

The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park  is one of the prime tourism centers that you will find in Darjeeling. This is one of the best places to visit in or near Darjeeling as it is complete in itself and does not need any other entertainment to be provided along with this place. Whether you wish to go for a short visit, or wish to have an extended stay in Darjeeling, the Darjeeling tourism has various Darjeeling Tour Package that cover the visit of this fantastic zoo.