Context:

The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) in Darjeeling, also known as the Darjeeling Zoo, recently reported the birth of two snow leopard cubs. The cubs, born to a female named Rare and a male named Namka, are being raised at the zoo’s off-display Conservation Breeding Centre (CBC) at Togbey Danra, about 20 km from Darjeeling. This marks another important milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to conserve this rare and vulnerable species.

Conservation Breeding Programme at PNHZP:

PNHZP began its Conservation Breeding Programme for snow leopards in 1985, recording its first successful birth in 1987. In 2007, it was designated the coordinating zoo for snow leopards in India by the Central Zoo Authority. The zoo now holds the largest captive population of snow leopards in the world, with:

• 7 adult females
• 4 adult males
• 2 newborn cubs

The Conservation Breeding Centre at Togbey Danra is a five-hectare facility designed to mimic the snow leopards’ natural habitat. It includes dry, rocky enclosures and uses CCTV monitoring and regular health checks to care for pregnant females and cubs.

About PNHZP:

Located at an altitude of 2,150 meters (7,050 feet), the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park covers 67.8 acres and is India’s highest-altitude zoo. It houses rare species such as gorals, Siberian tigers, and Himalayan birds.

 It is also the first zoo in India to preserve DNA samples of wildlife from snowy regions.

Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI):

In 2019, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI). This effort is part of a global programme called Population Assessment of World’s Snow Leopards (PAWS) under the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP).

• GSLEP was endorsed in the 2013 Bishkek Declaration.
• SPAI covered over 70% of the snow leopard’s range in India, including Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

About the Snow Leopard:

• Scientific name: Panthera uncia
• State animal of: Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh
• Weight: 30–55 kg
• Appearance: Smoky-grey fur with black rosettes, ideal for camouflage in rocky terrain
• Habitat: Found across 12 countries, including India, China, Nepal, and Russia

In 2024, the Khelo India Winter Games adopted the snow leopard as its mascot, named ‘Sheen-e She’ (Shan) in the Ladakh region.

Key Conservation Initiatives:

• Project Snow Leopard: Focuses on community-based conservation in high-altitude regions.
• GSLEP Landscapes in India:
• Hemis-Spiti (Ladakh & Himachal Pradesh)
• Nanda Devi-Gangotri (Uttarakhand)
• Khangchendzonga-Tawang (Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh)
• International Snow Leopard Day: Celebrated on October 23 annually.

The snow leopard breeding project at PNHZP remains one of South Asia’s most successful efforts to protect and preserve this iconic species.

Conclusion:

The birth of two snow leopard cubs at the Darjeeling Zoo highlights the success of India’s snow leopard conservation programmes. With careful planning, scientific breeding, and national surveys like SPAI, India is taking important steps to protect this rare species for future generations.