In a significant milestone for India’s conservation efforts, two endangered Siberian tigers have made a historic arrival at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, West Bengal, marking the first appearance of these big cats in the country after a gap of 12 years.
Named Lara and Akamas, these Siberian tigers were transported from Cyprus to India as part of an impactful animal exchange program, arriving on Sunday night in specially arranged ambulances from Kolkata airport. Their arrival follows the last Siberian tiger’s passing in India in November 2011 at the Nainital Zoo, succumbing to age-related ailments.
The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, renowned for its altitude and conservation initiatives, welcomed these tigers, assigning them separate quarantine enclosures for a month before they are relocated to enclosures for public viewing, as confirmed by the Park’s director, Basavraj Holeyachi.
Holeyachi highlighted the reciprocal aspect of the animal exchange program, mentioning the Park’s contribution by sending a pair of Red Pandas to Cyprus’s Pafos Zoo. He emphasized the international recognition of the Darjeeling Zoo for its commendable conservation and breeding program, currently hosting 25 Red Pandas.
The history of conservation efforts at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is noteworthy, with the initiation of the ex-situ snow leopard conservation breeding program in 1986, followed by the Red Panda project four years later, indicating the Park’s commitment to preserving endangered species.
Reflecting on past exchanges, it was revealed that in 1997, Kunal and Mahesh, Siberian tigers from Darjeeling, were transferred to Nainital. Unfortunately, Mahesh passed away in 2001.
The Siberian tiger population in its native habitat of eastern Russia, estimated between 265 to 486 individuals by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2022, signifies the significance of conservation efforts beyond borders. These tigers are also found in China and potentially North Korea.
The reintroduction of Siberian tigers into India represents a pivotal moment in the country’s conservation endeavors, underscoring the significance of collaborative initiatives to safeguard endangered species and contribute to global biodiversity conservation.
Sources By Agencies
