West Bengal celebrated Christmas with the arrival of two male red pandas from Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands. This marks the first red panda acquisition from a foreign zoo in nearly a decade. The two animals are being transported to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNZP) in Darjeeling, where they are expected to arrive by tonight.
Purpose of the Acquisition
The primary goal of this acquisition is to enhance the genetic diversity of the red panda population in India, particularly through the country’s most successful breeding program. The two red pandas, both two-and-a-half years old, will be quarantined for a month before being paired for breeding purposes.
Saurabh Chaudhury, Member Secretary of the West Bengal Zoo Authority, stated:
“Received two male red pandas from Rotterdam Zoo, Netherlands, for conservation breeding purposes. This is our first red panda acquisition from a foreign zoo in nearly a decade. Both are two-and-a-half years old. They will be put in quarantine for a month and then paired together.”
Arrival and Health Checks
The flight carrying the red pandas landed at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport last night. Upon arrival at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, the animals will undergo a thorough health check-up by the zoo’s veterinary team. The quarantine period will help the animals acclimatize to their new environment.
Significance for Conservation
The two red pandas will be named Vishal and Koshi, as confirmed by Basavraj S Holeyachi, Director of the zoo. This acquisition is significant for the zoo’s conservation breeding program, as it introduces a new bloodline, which will strengthen and diversify the genetic pool of red pandas.
“The animals hold immense significance in the conservation breeding programme here. By introducing a new bloodline, the genetic pool of red pandas will be strengthened and diversified. It is for long-term benefit,” Holeyachi said.
Current Red Panda Population
Currently, the zoo houses seven male and 12 female red pandas, along with two cubs, whose sex is yet to be determined. Established in 1958, the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is home to India’s most successful red panda breeding program. Red pandas are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with a population of fewer than 10,000 individuals worldwide.
History of the Conservation Program
The zoo’s red panda conservation breeding program began in 1986 as part of the Global Captive Breeding Masterplan. By 1990, the Darjeeling Zoo had only one male and three female red pandas of wild origin.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the primary goal of acquiring the two red pandas from the Netherlands?
- A) To increase the zoo’s visitor numbers
- B) To enhance genetic diversity in the red panda breeding program
- C) To introduce new animal species to the zoo
- D) To provide entertainment for the zoo visitors
- Where did the two red pandas arrive from?
- A) China
- B) Netherlands
- C) Nepal
- D) Bhutan
- How old are the two red pandas that were brought to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park?
- A) 1 year
- B) 2 and a half years
- C) 5 years
- D) 3 years
- What is the significance of the red pandas’ quarantine period?
- A) To prevent them from being exposed to other animals
- B) To help them acclimatize to their new environment
- C) To train them for breeding
- D) To allow them to grow stronger
- What is the red panda’s status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)?
- A) Vulnerable
- B) Endangered
- C) Critically Endangered
- D) Least Concern
- When did the red panda conservation breeding program begin at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park?
- A) 1990
- B) 1986
- C) 2000
- D) 1975