Rapid Fire
First BioBank in a Zoo
- 22 Feb 2025
- 2 min read
- India’s first wildlife bio-bank at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (Darjeeling Zoo) is fully operational.
- Since its establishment in July 2024, it has collected DNA and tissue samples from 60 animals of 23 species, prioritizing endangered species.
- Biobank: The biobank (frozen zoo) preserves genetic material from animals for conservation and research.
- This includes cells, tissues, and reproductive samples of endangered and deceased animals.
- The samples are stored in cryogenic conditions (-196°C in liquid nitrogen) to maintain genetic diversity.
- It is part of a national conservation plan, in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- In future, biobanks are planned to be set up at Delhi National Zoo and Nandankanan Zoo (Odisha).
- Species like the American black-footed ferret and northern one-horned rhino have been revived using preserved DNA and captive breeding.
Darjeeling Zoo:
- It is India’s largest high-altitude zoo, specializing in captive breeding of alpine species like snow leopards, Himalayan wolves, and red pandas.
- It houses endangered fauna, including gorals, Siberian tigers, and rare birds.
Read More: Darjeeling Zoo’s Conservation Breeding Programme for Snow Leopards
