CHENNAI: The Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai, popularly referred to as the Vandalur Zoo, has been adjudged the second-best zoo in the country. The first position goes to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) in West Bengal’s Darjeeling.

A zoo directors’ conference was held in Bhubaneswar on September 10 and the Central Zoo Authority released the ranking list in the Odisha capital, a PTI report said.

There are around 150 zoos across the country.

As per the list, the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysuru is ranked third and Kolkata’s Alipore Zoological Garden the fourth position.

The Red Panda is one of the top attractions of PNHZP, besides others such as the Himalayan Black Bear, Snow Leopard, Goral and Himalayan Thar.

The Central Zoo Authority evaluated all the zoos based on different parameters such as management and effectiveness and marks were given on the evaluation process. Darjeeling zoo was given the highest percentage of 83, the zoo director added.

The Darjeeling zoo was established on August 14, 1958. The zoological park is internationally recognised for its breeding and conservation programmes of endangered animal species of the eastern Himalayas, including the Snow Leopard and the Red Panda.

The first position goes to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) in West Bengal’s Darjeeling

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