Bengal Natural History Museum, Natural history museum in Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, India.
Description
The Bengal Natural History Museum sits within the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park and displays animals from the region across multiple galleries. Visitors encounter over 800 bird specimens, mammals, reptiles, and a substantial insect collection.
History
The museum was founded in 1903 as a project by the Governor of Bengal and moved to its present site near Chowrasta in 1915. The growth and expansion of the collections over time reflects how knowledge of local wildlife developed.
Culture
The museum shows how local scientists study and care for the wildlife found in this region. Its collections help visitors understand which animals live in the Himalaya and why protecting them matters.
Practical
The museum sits within a larger park, so visitors can combine their visit with other activities if time allows. A single ticket provides access to the zoo and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute on the same grounds.
Did you know?
The museum holds specialized collections of rare wild cats such as the golden cat and marbled cat that few other institutions display. These specimens highlight the special diversity of wild felines found in this mountain region.
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