Sloth Bear and Nandankanan Zoological Park:
Why in News?
Concerns over the back-to-back deaths of two sloth bears at the park.
IUCN status of Sloth Bear Vulnerable.
About the Park:
● Located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. ● Adjacent to Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary.
Uniqueness of the Zoo:
● It is the only zoological park in India to become an institutional member of World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA).
● Host zoo for white tigers. White tigers born to normal coloured parents in the year 1980.
● First captive breeding centre for endangered Gharials in the year 1980.
● Kanjia Lake – A wetland of National importance
(2006).
● Conservation Breeding Centres for Indian Pangolin and Long billed vultures.
● Largest pools for housing Gharials and Hippopotamus.
● First record of breeding of Indian Ratels in captivity (in 2012).
● Only zoo in India after which an express train (Nandankanan Express) has been named by
Indian Railways.
● One among the three zoos in India for breeding Long billed vulture.
● First birth of Melanistic tiger in captivity in the year 2014
