Wandering along Kanchenjunga Day 7 Part 3

Day 7 Part 3

Next destination was the Zoological park... Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park also called the Darjeeling Zoo 

Darjeeling Zoo  is spread over 67.56-acre (27.3 ha)  at an average elevation of 7,000 feet (2,134 m), is the largest high altitude zoo in India. It specializes in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions, and has successful captive breeding programs for the snow leopard, the critically endangered Himalayan  

wolf and the red panda.  Saw quite    a few special exhibits... 
                                    Tahr having its fodder                                      

Himalayan tahr blue sheep, sambar, red panda, burly bear,  Himalayan leopard, snow leopard, snow wolf,  Himalayan monal  grey peacock pheasant, variety of monkeys, Himalayan salamander, blood pheasant, coots, satyr tragopan and many birds. The majestic Bengal tiger was visible but was stretching out... It is worth a visit for an animal lover.... 













Though quite a few were caged, there were some animals in open but with a barricade...

The black bear in an open pen and a guard posted in the vicinity  protects it from miscreants...

            



                                                  ~~~ oOo ~~~

  

Later we went to Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) situated beside the zoo... Its Museum is a wondrous place.  It has a rich collection of models, paintings, sculptures, photographs, manuscripts, autographs, books and mountaineering equipment belonging to famous mountaineers.... It takes you through  expeditions through ages... Its a comprehensive display of the Himalayas. Loved it... Tenzing Norkay was its first Director of Fields till he passed away. In recognition of his services and achievement,  a statue of his is placed in the courtyard... In front of it a memorial with his ashes buried is placed.

Memorial of Tenzing Norkay.

 Statue of Tenzing ..

HMI regularly conducts Adventure, Basic and Advanced Mountaineering courses.

Logo of the Institute...

                                              Tenzing Rock for the beginners...

                              A  beginner's steeper rock...

                                                                                            ~~~ oOo ~~~

..