Nandankanan Zoological Park: Odisha

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.