West Bengal • 2 monuments
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, also known as Darjeeling Zoo, is designated as India’s largest high altitude zoo. At the height of about 7,000 ft. and spread over an area of about 68 hectare, the zoo is home to many endangered species of Eastern Himalayas. Red panda, snow leopard, clouded leopard, black leopard, slow loris, Tibetan wolf, Himalayan black bear and Bengal tiger are among the top attractions of the zoo, which also features musk deer, blue sheep, yak, sambar, goral and many other animals. Located on the Birch Hill (also called Jawahar Parbat), the zoo has exotic birds as its exhibits, some of the most notable ones being golden and silver pheasants, Himalayan monal, ring-necked pheasant, Lady Amherst, red jungle-fowl, rose-ringed parakeet, hill myna, grey turaco and blue gold macaw. Indian star tortoise and Himalayan salamander are other conserved species at the park. A member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the park attracts millions of visitors every year and is also known for offering animal adoption program.
Sited about 10 minutes from the Chowrasta Mallbehind Gorakh Ranga Manch Bhawan, Darjeeling, Bengal Natural History Museum houses an extensive collection of Himalayan and Bengal fauna. Nestled in the heart of Darjeeling, the museum offers visitors the opportunity to explore over 4300 specimens of bird species, butterflies,reptiles, fishes, and animal species. The museum is compartmented into larger sections - ground floor and basement.Showcasing the wide varieties of flora and fauna, the museum also houses estuarine crocodiles - a rare species of crocodile. The butterfly and beetle section of the museum pulls maximum tourist attention. Apart from animal and bird species, the museum also exhibits a fabulous variety of colourful stones, which are visible in their mineral form. The radiantly decorated butterflies are undoubtedly the magnificent sight to look at. Bengal Natural History Museum Building also has a small library with a reading roomthat hosts a collection of many worthful and rarebooks like125 volume series of "The fauna of British India”. Other nearby attractions in Darjeeling includeTiger Hill, Senchal Lake, Lloyd Botanical Garden and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
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