Sikkim is known for her rich flora and fauna with as many as 4,000 varieties of flowering plants and herbs, 450 species of orchids, 300 species of fern and its allies, including tree ferns, and more than nine species of conifers. Sikkim is also home to 81 species of mammals, 550 species of birds, including the flamboyant pheasants of the upper temperate zones, and over 600 species of butterflies. Many species of animals and birds recorded earlier are now either extinct or are on the verge of becoming so. Some of the missing species of Sikkim are the Sikkim Stag, Pigmy Hog, Binturong and Takin. Keeping in view the behavior of each animal and the scope of zoo ethics and exercises, optimum efforts have been made to provide the best possible natural habitat to wildlife exhibits at the Himalayan Zoological Park (HZP).
LOCATION AND AREA
Offering unparalleled views of the Khangchendzonga massif and its host of surrounding peaks, the HZP is situated at Bulbulay (elevation 1,780 m) in east Sikkim. The park lies about 3 km from Gangtok, the capital. The HZP is spread over an area of 205 ha of mountainous land encompassing steep terrain suitable for Musk Deer and Blue Sheep; gentle slopes for Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer; a vision valley for Red Panda, Danphay-Monal (birds) and many other endangered Himalayan fauna. The best time to visit the park is mid-February to May end and mid-September to December end
STAR ATTRACTIONS
Himalayan Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens). This very beautiful animal is also the state animal of Sikkim. Though widely distributed earlier in the temperate parts of Sikkim, their population has dwindled now. It is also known as cat-bear. Chestnut brown body color, a long bushy vertically striped tail and white margined conical ears are characteristic features of this animal. Bamboo and Maling shoots make up its staple diet. Apart from these roots, succulent grass, leaves and fruits, eggs and shrubs also form part of its diet. 
Himalayan Monal Pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus). The male Monal Pheasant is a beautiful bird with dazzling green plumage, a swinging crest, a rufous tail and a neck covered by shining bluish-maroon feathers. The female of the species is spotted brown with bare blue skin around the eyes. In Sikkim it can be sighted in the upper temperate region (2,500-5,000 m), its numbers, however, have dwindled. Himalayan Palm Civet (Paguma Larvata). An animal from the temperate zone of Sikkim, it is fairly common and dwells quite close to human settlements. Fruits and foliage constitute its major diet. Equipped with a long prehensile tail, a fully grown Palm Civet measures about 80 cm in length. They are arborescent and normally live singly or in groups.Goral (Nemorhraedus goral hodgsonii). Found on rocky terrain throughout Sikkim at elevations between 1,850-3,700 m, its ground color is golden or rufous brown speckled with black. It grows to a shoulder height of 70 cm. The horns are 12-13 cm long, curved backward and are ringed. Poaching did reduce the number considerably, but now it has come to a respectable strength due to conservation.
Crimson-Horned Pheasant (Tragopan satyar). A beautiful bird of the temperate zone found between 2,100-2,500 m, it has now become rarer than the Monal Pheasant. The male of the species (Danphay) has a cobalt-blue face. Triangular grey spots of varied sizes are found on a crimson ground. The female has a whitish throat. It is brown with a crimson shoulder patch.Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis). Appearing similar in size and looks to the domestic cat, the Leopard Cat has a spotted coat like a leopard's. It is a predator and very much adapted to living in the jungle as well as on bare rockeries. It feeds on small mammals and birds.
Himalayan Black Bear (Selenarctos thibetanus laniger). A small bear (150 cm tall and 100-120 kg in weight) found normally in the temperate forests (1,200-3,500 m), it is a common bear of the Sikkim hills. Two varieties have been noted - Sunauli (with golden-yellow teeth) and Rupauli (with less yellow teeth). It is easily recognized by the characteristic V-shaped markings on its chest. Its coat is jet-black with a flush of white on the chin area
.(Department of Forests, Environment and Wildlife)
LIST OF ANIMAL ENCLOSURES
• Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens)
• Himalayan Black Bear (Selenarctos thibetanus laniger)
• Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia)
• Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
• Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis horsfieldi)
• Himalayan Palm Civet (Paguma larvata)
• Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha)
• Marbled Cat (Felis marmorata charltonii)
• Musk Deer (Moschus moschiferus)
• Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak vaginalis)
• Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur nayaur)
• Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis thar)
• Himalayan Thar (Hemitragus jemlahicus schaeferi)
• Himalayan Yellow-Throated Marten (Martes flavigula f1avigula)
• Himalayan Weasel (Mustela sibirica subhemachalana & M.s. canigula)
• Tibetan Wolf (Canis lupus chanko)
• Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes montana)
• Common Otter (Lutra lutra monticola & L.I. aurobrunnea)
• Common Langur (Presbytes entellus entellus)
• Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
• Porcupine (Hystrix hodgsonii)
• Spotted Deer (Axis axis axis)
• Yak (Bos grunniens grunniens)
• Goral (Nemorhaedus goral hodgsonii)
• Pheasants (eight species)
• Reptiles (Pythons, Snakes, Lizards)
• Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla aurita)
• Aquatic habitat dwellers
