Darjeeling zoo preserves wildlife DNA samples for conservation

Darjeeling's Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park has launched a project to preserve DNA samples of wildlife found in snowy regions. This makes it the first zoo in India to undertake such an initiative. So far, 60 DNA samples from local animals have been collected for study. These samples include tissues from red pandas and snow leopards that died in road accidents or in captivity. Chief Wildlife Warden Debal Roy announced this development on March 24, 2025. The project began in 2023 and is a collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad. The goal is to protect the genetic material of these species, which can help in future conservation efforts if they become endangered. A lab has been set up in the zoo to store the samples in liquid nitrogen at very low temperatures. The zoo, located at 2,150 meters (7,050 feet) above sea level, is also focused on researching the diverse wildlife of the Himalayan region.