The sharp decline in Red Panda population in the past has been caused by large scale hunting, trapping and trading, and disturbance, fragmentation and loss of habitat.

Despite providing sufficient protection the low Red Panda population, may be affected by genetic problems. It is in danger of becoming extinct in the wild and in fact has already become extinct in certain areas.

The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling dedicated to the conservation of endangered Himalayan fauna took a serious view of the situation of this rare species by embarking upon conservation Breeding Programme.

The Zoological Park is ideally situated within the natural distribution zone of the Red Panda. There was no other captive breeding facility available in the vicinity of Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) natural habitat.

The Zoological Park has had proper housing facilities required for Red Panda even at that time and has had earlier records of success of breeding of Red Panda in captivity.

There are at least two (The Singalila National Park and the Neora Valley National Park) Protected Areas still having wild Red Panda populations in Darjeeling hills and one habitat (The Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary) with very recent history of Red Panda populations.


The main objectives of the project are as follows :

It is a conservation effort aimed at planned conservation breeding and multiplication, to ensure their survival and then making efforts to restock the dwindling population of Red Panda in the Singalila National Park and the Neora Valley National Park and re-introduce the Red Pandas back in the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary.

Making efforts to establish subsidiary Conservation Breeding Centers in suitable locations in Eastern Himalayas.

To provide opportunity to Scientists and Naturalists for study various aspects of hitherto unknown biology / behaviour of the rare species.

To arouse public consciousness about this endangered species and to cater popular and scientific information related to this species among people.

A planned conservation Breeding Project as a part of the Global Captive Breeding Master Plan was initiated in early nineties in the Zoological Park in response to the International Conservation efforts, though initiation in the form of project formulation and improvement / modification of existing housing facility was already on, since 1986.

The Zoological Park had one male (Basant) and three females (Amita, Chanda and Divya) all of wild origin in stock at the beginning of the Project in 1990. Hence one male 'Oscar' (d.o.f. June 29,1992) was brought from Rotterdam Zoo on April 1, 1993 to augment the existing populations of 4 Red Pandas in the Zoological Park.

The first successful (planned) breeding of Red Panda occurred on 20.06.1994. when two cubs "Ekta" and "Friend" were born to 'Basant' and 'Amita'

'Hari' (male, d.o.b. June 30,1993, Rotterdam), Gora (male, d.o.b. - June 25, 1993, Koln) and Indira (female, d.o.b. - June 26, 1993, Madrid) arrived in Darjeeling on November 10, 1994 to induce new blood and to continue the planned breeding programme.

Again 'Omin' (Original name Tsambo) (male, d.o.b. - July 17, 1994, Rotterdam) and 'Vicky' (female, d.o.b. June 26, 1994, Antwerp) were further added into the already existing stock of the Zoological Park on December, 25, 1996. Later 'Vicky' (renamed as Prity) along with 'Jugal' (male, Darjeeling Zoo born) were shifted to Gangtok (Sikkim) zoo to start another conservation breeding center over there.

In the last 10 years there in total 38 births of Red Panda in captivity in this Zoological Park. It is heartening to add that the pair at Gangtok zoo has also started breeding.

The Red Panda Conservation Breeding Project at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling is one of the most successful and only breeding programme (along with one subsidiary center at Gangtok) of the species in its natural distribution zone.

All the record keeping of the programme and animals is not only done in Darjeeling Zoo, but is also recorded with the International Stud Book Keeper of the species at Rotterdam (Netherland).

Steady research and studies are also being under taken so that this very special and sensitive project can become a model for other such Conservation Breeding Projects in suitable locales.