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Darjeeling Zoo Recently Unveils India’s First Bio-Bank and Animal Museum.

National | Dated: 25 Feb 2025

In February 2025, the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP), commonly known as Darjeeling Zoo in Darjeeling, West Bengal (WB), opened India’s first bio-bank (Frozen Zoo) and an animal museum. This initiative is part of the national conservation plan, developed in collaboration with the Darjeeling Zoo and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) based in Hyderabad, Telangana, under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T).

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The bio-bank, established in July 2024, has already collected Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and tissue samples from 60 animals across 23 species.
  • - The bio-bank collects and stores cells and tissue samples from endangered species, including reproductive cells from deceased animals, to aid preservation. These samples can be used for future research and may play a vital role in the potential revival of critically endangered species that are extinct or near extinction.
  • - All samples are stored at a temperature of minus 196°C in Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) to maintain a cryogenic state, helping preserve the genetic diversity of species.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The samples can be preserved in the bio-bank for a minimum of 40 to 45 years.
  • (ii) CCMB plans to establish bio-banks at other zoos, including the National Zoological Park in Delhi and Nandankanan Zoological Park in Barang, Odisha.
  • (iii) The animal museum has been created to preserve the bodies and skeletons of deceased animals. It currently houses specimens from 19 species at Darjeeling Zoo, including animals such as the Red Panda, Snow Leopard, and Siberian Tiger.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Which zoo recently unveiled India’s first Bio-Bank and Animal Museum?

Correct Answer: Darjeeling Zoo

🚀 Quick Recap: