The Padmaja Naidu Zoo is one of the better zoos in India, specialising in Himalayan fauna at altitudes where the animals are actually comfortable. Snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan black bears, clouded leopards, and Tibetan wolves are kept in enclosures sized for the terrain. The snow leopards in particular are more active here than at lowland zoos — the cold suits them, and they often pace their enclosures or rest in visible spots.
The zoo sits at around 2,000 metres, next to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Plan to visit both in the same trip — they are adjacent, and the combination takes about two to three hours. The red panda enclosure is the highlight; the animals are active in the morning before it warms up.