About Nandankanan Zoological Park:
- Nandankanan, literally meaning “The Garden of Heaven”, is located on the banks of Kanjia Lake in Odisha.
- Unlike other zoos in the country, it has been built inside a natural forest (Chandaka Forest), which is moist deciduous in nature and remains semi-evergreen.
- It also contains a botanical garden, and part of it has been declared a sanctuary.
- It is the first zoo in India to gain membership in the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA).
- It is the sole zoo in India to inspire an express train named after it—the Nandankanan Express, as recognised by the Indian Railways.
- Since its inception, the zoo has been successful in breeding several endangered species, including Leopard, Tiger, Lion-tailed macaque, Asiatic lion, Nilgiri langur, Mouse deer, Indian pangolin, Indian crocodiles, Ratel, Brow-antlered deer, and many other water and land birds.
- Nandankanan has the distinction of being the first zoo in the world to breed Melanistic and White tigers and the sole conservation breeding center for Indian Pangolins across the globe.
- It is the first zoo in the country to feature an open-top enclosure for leopards and also the first where endangered Ratels were born in captivity.
- It is also known for being the first one to begin captive breeding of Gharials.
