The Himalayan Zoological Park is located at Bulbuley in Gangtok, Sikkim. A favourite inclusion in a tourist’s itinerary, a visit to this zoo offers a chance to see some interesting animals native to only the Himalayan region.
The animal species you can spot at this zoo are: Himalayan Black Bear, Blue Sheep, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Red Panda, Tibetan Wolf, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Palm Civet, Large Indian Civet, Leopard Cat, Yak, Goral, Barking Deer, and Tahr.
Here’s a look at 6 Himalayan species found here:
(1) Red Panda
The state animal of Sikkim, the Red Panda is characterized by a reddish brown fur and a long shaggy tail. Omnivorous in nature, this solitary animal is mainly active from dusk to dawn and is largely sedentary during the day.
A Red Panda spotted lazying on a tree branch
(2) Blue Sheep
Males are slightly larger than females. Females have shorter and straighter horns. They are active throughout the day, alternating between feeding and resting on mountain slopes. They are mainly grazers, but during times of scarcity of grass, they switch to herbs and shrubs.
A curious Blue Sheep
(3) Himalayan Crestless Porcupine
What’s unique about the Himalayan Crestless Porcupine is though it’s covered with sharp spines, or quills, they do not possess a crest like the rest of the porcupine species; hence, the name. They eat leaves, herbs, twigs, and green plants like clover and bark. They are generally nocturnal but are occasionally active during daylight. They need rocky outcrops or other areas to create dens or dig burrows.