Darjeeling: The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling has become the first zoo in the country to preserve DNA samples of more than 60 varieties of wildlife found exclusively in the snowy Himalayan terrains.
These include tissues from red pandas, snow leopards and other indigenous species that were killed either in road accidents or in captivity.
This Darjeeling zoo is spread across 67.8 acres and at an altitude of 7050 ft, it is India’s highest-altitude Zoological Park.
The zoo is collaborating with the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad for this cryogenic conservation initiative. The aim is to preserve genetic material for species facing extinction so that it can aid in future research and conservation efforts.
The project started in 2023 and a dedicated laboratory has been set up inside the zoo where DNA samples are stored in steel containers filled with liquid nitrogen at freezing temperatures.
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