Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is located in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.  It was earlier known as Himalayan Zoological Park. The endangered Red Panda is the topmost attraction here.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo alias Zoological Park Darjeeling is internationally acclaimed for the breeding and conservation of endangered animals endemic to the eastern Himalayas, including the Snow Leopards and the Red Pandas. Other Alpine endemic animals bred here include the Bharal alias Blue Sheep (endemic to the Tibetan Plateau), Himalayan Monal, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Himalayan wolf (Tibetan Wolf), Himalayan Salamander, Blood Pheasant, and Satyr Tragopan.

A pair of Siberian tigers is one of the most prized possessions in this park. Former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev presented it to the government of India in 1960.

It has been adjudged the best Zoo in India by the Central Zoo Authority, after surveying all zoos in India. In second place was the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai and Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysuru ( earlier known as Mysore) came in the third spot.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, alias Darjeeling Zoo, was established on August 14, 1958. It has an area of 67.56 acres. Padmaja Naidu Park has an average elevation of 7,000 feet or 2,134 meters. It is the largest high-altitude zoo in India.

Apart from Mammals, there are reptiles, birds, and amphibians at the Himalayan Zoological Park at Darjeeling.

How Do I Go to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park?

Zoological Park Darjeeling is at a distance of three kilometers from the city center. Darjeeling hill station town is well connected to other parts of the country.

New Jalpaiguri railway station, the largest and busiest in north-eastern India, is the nearest railway station to this Zoo. It is a broad-gauge and narrow-gauge railway station. Its station code is NJP. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a UNESCO heritage railway system here.

Siliguri city is the twin city of Jalpaiguri city. These cities are spread across Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts.

Bagdogra airport is at a distance of 95 kilometers from Darjeeling hill station. It is connected to nearby major domestic airports like Kolkata, Guwahati, and New Delhi.