‘adopt-an-animal’ scheme of Nandankanan zoo

News: Nandankanan Zoological Park(NZP) which suffered a huge loss following its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic has revived its innovative ‘Adopt-An-Animal’ programme to mobilise resources for animals.

Facts:

• Nandankanan Zoological Park(NZP): It is located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.Unlike other zoos in the country, Nandankanan is built right inside the forest and set in a completely natural environment.
• Uniqueness:
  • It is the first zoo in the World to breed White tiger and Melanistic tiger and it is the only conservation breeding centre of Indian Pangolins in the world.
  • First captive breeding centre for endangered Gharials in the year 1980.
  • Kanjia Lake – A wetland of National importance (2006).
  • It is the only zoological park in India to become an institutional member of World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA).
  • It is the only zoo in India after which an express train Puri-New Delhi express has been named as “Nandankanan Express”.
  • It is the first zoo in India where endangered Ratel was born in captivity.