Nandankanan launches India's first bio-banking facility for animal genetic materials

Nandankanan Zoological Park has launched India's first comprehensive bio-banking facility to store genetic materials from animals. This includes semen, tissues, and cells, which will aid in breeding and restoring endangered species through techniques like in-vitro fertilization. The facility features 18 specialized pieces of equipment, such as microscopes and cryogenic storage tools. It aims to support biodiversity conservation and assist in genetic research, making Nandankanan a unique resource in India for preserving biological samples. With over 4,000 animals from 162 species, the zoo plans to enhance its captive breeding programs using stored genetic materials. This initiative could help maintain genetic diversity and serve as a backup for critically endangered species.