Patna: Patna’s Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, commonly known as Patna Zoo, has achieved international recognition for its rhino population. The zoo currently houses ten rhinos, including six males and four females across four different breeds. This achievement places Patna Zoo second in the world after San Diego Zoo in the United States in terms of rhino numbers. The zoo has also recently opened a dedicated rhino breeding centre to support conservation efforts.
The journey of rhino conservation at Patna Zoo began in 1979, when a pair of rhinos named Kancha and Kanchi were brought from Assam. A third rhino, Raju, rescued from Bettiah, joined them in 1982. With careful management and attention, the first successful birth of a rhino at the zoo occurred in 1988 when Raju and Kanchi’s mating produced a female rhino named Hadatali. Subsequently, Raju and Kanchi had another female rhino, Rani, showing that Patna Zoo provided a favourable environment for breeding these endangered animals.
Over the years, more rhinos were born, including Raja in 1993 and Bajrangi in 1997. To strengthen the genetic diversity of the zoo’s rhino population, officials periodically acquired rhinos from other facilities. In 2005, a male rhino named Ayodhya arrived from Delhi Zoo, while in 2007, a female rhino, Gary, and her calf, Lali, were brought from San Diego Zoo in the United States. These additions have helped improve the breed quality and support the zoo’s conservation programme.
Today, Patna Zoo continues to serve as a centre for wildlife preservation and education. The rhino breeding centre, combined with the zoo’s careful management practices, ensures the animals are healthy and safe. Visitors to the zoo can now witness one of the largest collections of rhinos in the world, while conservationists praise the park for its ongoing contribution to protecting these endangered species.
