Darjeeling Zoo Pioneers DNA Preservation for Himalayan Wildlife

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, West Bengal, has become the first zoo in India to preserve DNA samples from wildlife native to snowy regions. According to Chief Wildlife Warden Debal Roy, 60 DNA samples from indigenous animals have been collected for profiling. Tissues from animals, including red pandas and snow leopards, obtained from road accidents or captivity, are used for DNA preservation. The project, initiated in 2023, is a collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad. The cryogenic conservation initiative aims to ensure that preserved genetic material can aid in research and future conservation efforts if these species face extinction. A dedicated laboratory within the zoo stores DNA samples in liquid nitrogen-filled steel containers at freezing temperatures. The zoo, located at an altitude of 2,150 metres (7,050 feet), will continue research on the Himalayan region's biodiversity.