UPSC Articles
Nandankanan Zoological Park: Odisha
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Zoological Parks
In news
- Recently, Nandankanan Zoological Park was in news due to death of two sloth bears.
Important value additions
Nandankanan Zoological Park
- It is situated near Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- It was inaugurated in 1960.
- It is the first zoo in India to become a member of the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA).
- It is recognized as a leading zoo for the breeding of the Indian pangolin and white tiger.
- Leopards, mouse deer, lions, ratel and vultures are also bred here.
- It was the world’s first captive crocodile breeding centre, where gharials were bred in captivity in 1980.
- The State Botanical Garden of Nandankanan is one of the pioneering plant conservation and nature education centres of Odisha.
Sloth Bear
- Scientific Name: Melursus ursinus
- Also called honey bear, Hindi bhalu.
- Habitat: Tropical or subtropical regions of India and Sri Lanka.
- Protection Status: (1) Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List; (2) Appendix I in CITES; (3) Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Threats: Habitat loss, poaching for body parts, captured for use in performances and hunted because of their aggressive behavior and destruction of crops.
Do you know?
- WAZA is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.
