Where is India's first zoo-based wildlife biobank

Solution

India's first zoo-based wildlife biobank was established at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) in Darjeeling, West Bengal. Launched in July 2024, this "frozen zoo" facility preserves genetic materials (DNA, tissues, and cells) from endangered species through cryogenic storage at -196°C using liquid nitrogen. It collaborates with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and aims to support conservation, research, and future species revival efforts. As of February 2025, it has collected genetic material from 60 animals across 23 species.