How India’s First ‘Frozen Zoo’ in Darjeeling Is Using Science to Save Red Pandas From Extinction

By Raajwrita Dutta 14 July 2025

In Darjeeling, India’s first ‘frozen zoo’ is leading efforts to protect endangered Himalayan species, starting with the red panda.

Padmaja Naidu Zoo stores DNA, tissues, and fluids from 24 rare species in liquid nitrogen at -196°C, creating a long-term genetic bank.

This biobank supports breeding, research, and future rewilding, which is crucial for species like the red panda, snow leopard, and markhor.

Red pandas, once widespread across Eurasia, now survive in fragmented forests of the Eastern Himalayas and are listed as ‘endangered’.

Habitat loss, predators, climate change, and low genetic diversity threaten their survival in the wild.

“As red pandas don’t move much, there is a fragmentation of their population. Even though we say that their range extends from Western Nepal up to Arunachal, due to the fragmentation, there is no genetic exchange between these populations,” says Dr Basavaraj Holeyachi.

Zoo-based breeding selects genetically diverse individuals and trains them for survival before soft release into protected forests.

“In the wild, we have two protected areas, the Singalila National Park and Neora Valley National Park, where red pandas thrive,” says Dr Holeyachi.

Local forest staff and villagers play an important role in conservation through 24×7 patrolling, eco-tourism, and forest management committees.

The zoo has bred 77 snow leopards since the 1980s and is working with Himalayan herbivores and pheasants, too.

“We begin by carefully selecting individuals based on their pedigree and genetic diversity,” explains Dr Holeyachi.

LaCONES supports the zoo by analysing genetic makeup and screening for diseases to guarantee healthy founder populations.

“Genetic resources like DNA, RNA, sperm, oocytes, or any other bodily tissues are valuable and can be biobanked,” says Dr Karthikeyan Vasudevan.

Endangered species receive intensive and tailored care, like patients in an ICU, to monitor, support, and restore their health for long-term survival in the wild.