My Child from Wild: Kindness at the Himalayan Zoological Park
‘My Child from Wild’ – the animal adoption programme at the Himalayan Zoological Park in Bulbuley, Sikkim, where individuals like 8-year-old Pennor Bomzon and actress Shyamashree Sherpa are making a difference in wildlife conservation.
Up in the misty heights of Bulbuley, nestled amongst the whispering pines and fluttering prayer flags, the Himalayan Zoological Park (HZP) has long stood as a quiet guardian of the Eastern Himalayas’ most vulnerable wildlife. Known for its dedication to the ex-situ conservation of endangered species, the park recently took a heartening step forward with the launch of its Zoo Animal Adoption Programme – aptly named “My Child from Wild” – in June 2024.
Now, let’s be honest. In an age when most of us are up to our necks in digital distractions, hearing about genuine, soul-stirring efforts to support nature tends to hit home rather tenderly. And if you’ve ever felt that peculiar ache when watching a snow leopard on television or reading about vanishing red pandas, then “My Child from Wild” might just be the balm your conscience needed.
In the short time since its launch, the programme has already seen six adopters come forward – a modest start, you might think, but one that speaks volumes. Among them is the remarkable Pennor D. Bomzon, a bright-eyed eight-year-old with more heart than most adults you’ll meet. Pennor decided to part with her birthday stash and pocket money to sponsor a leopard cat for six months. Now, that’s not just pocket change – that’s heart and soul. Talk about being wise beyond your years!
Adding a touch of glitz to this tale of compassion is actress Shyamashree Sherpa, who got the ball rolling by becoming the first adopter. She chose Pokchi, the park’s oldest red panda – a gentle creature whose bamboo-munching days have clearly won a few hearts. And just when you thought it couldn’t get lovelier, in came Chundyu N. Gensapa and the warm-hearted members of Ride Sikkim, adopting not only Chimi the beloved clouded leopard, but also red pandas Kemo Reep and Songru Pundi – names that roll off the tongue like verses of an old lullaby.
A spokesperson for HZP shared, “Small genuine gestures like these are what keep us motivated to do better and provide better facilities for our animals.” It’s a sentiment that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt a tug at the heartstrings while looking into the eyes of an animal who, through no fault of its own, faces a future on a knife-edge.
What makes “My Child from Wild” rather extraordinary is its inclusivity. It’s not just for the suits and corporate logos. The programme welcomes individuals from all walks of life – from children like Pennor to schools, sporting clubs, nature societies and NGOs. It’s about bonding, about taking a creature under your wing, and saying, “I see you, and I care.”
And there’s more. Adopters aren’t just left holding a certificate. They’re treated to complimentary park entry and access to exclusive zoo programmes – a little thank you for their kindness, and perhaps a gentle nudge to deepen their relationship with the natural world.
In an era where kindness can often feel like a scarce commodity, the Himalayan Zoological Park’s initiative is a much-needed reminder that compassion doesn’t always need to come in grand gestures. Sometimes, all it takes is a child’s birthday money, a rider’s conscience, or an actress’s love for a red panda to set something beautiful in motion.
As the old saying goes, “Every little helps.” And in Bulbuley, every adoption is a thread stitched into the broader tapestry of conservation, binding humans and animals together in a quiet, noble promise: We are in this together.
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