Darjeeling zoo to get India's 1st high-altitude aquarium

SILIGURI: The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) in Darjeeling is set to get the first high-altitude single-end aquarium in India, officials said. The new aquarium will house larger species of ornamental fishes.

At present, a small tank which houses common fishes has been placed at the existing reptile house spread across 55 feet diameter.

Director of the park, Basavaraj Holeyachi said, the reptile house will be converted into a single-end aquarium. "We are working on the project. The existing tank was placed at the reptile house but reptiles go to hibernation during winter. Thus, it has been kept closed for the visitors," Holeyachi added.

At present the reptile house has Indian rock python, Russell's viper and sand boa, said the zoo authorities.

Meanwhile, visitors can catch a glimpse of a pair of Siberian tigers - Lara and Akamas from Cyprus - from January 10 at the zoo. Holeyachi said the two tigers, which were brought in exchange programme with a pair of red pandas from Paphos Zoo, are doing fine. They are presently at post-import quarantine for a month at the old conservation breeding centre. Earlier, the PNHZP had a Siberian tiger-Patty in the zoo but it had died in 2007.


Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.