First BioBank in a Zoo:
India’s first wildlife bio-bank at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (Darjeeling Zoo) is fully operational.
Since its establishment in July 2024, it has collected DNA and tissue samples from 60 animals of 23 species, prioritizing endangered species.The biobank (frozen zoo) preserves genetic material from animals for conservation and research. This includes cells, tissues, and reproductive samples of endangered and deceased animals. The samples are stored in cryogenic conditions (-196°C in liquid nitrogen) to maintain genetic diversity. It is part of a national conservation plan, in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), under the Ministry of Science and Technology. In future, biobanks are planned to be set up at Delhi National Zoo and Nandankanan Zoo (Odisha). Species like the American black-footed ferret and northern one-horned rhino have been revived using preserved DNA and captive breeding.
