Sundarban Biosphere Reserve is one of the few globally recognized Biosphere Reserve in the country with a rich association of wide bio-diverse species. It constitutes over 60% of the total mangrove forest area in the country and has 90% of the total Indian mangrove species. There are 150 major and minor elements of mangroves reported from Indian Sundarbans. The eco-complex has been classified as a Tiger (Panthera tigris) conservation landscape of global priority, and it is the only mangrove habitat which supports a significant tiger population along with large number of endangered and globally threaten species like Fishing Cat (Felis viverrina Bennett), Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodilus porosus), Gangetic Dolphin (Platinista gangetica) and Irrawady Dolphin (Oracilla brevirostris), Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator), River Terapin (Batagur baska), Otter (Amblonyx cinereus), Kind Cobra (Ophiophagus Hannah). The region is also declared as a World Heritage Site.

However, over a period of time Sundarban has lost a number of animals due to ecological changes, habitat degradation and other related anthropogenic activities. Some of the animals which were once present but have been lost include Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus), Wild Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), Swamp Deer (Cervus duvaucelli), Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak).

The mangrove fauna is generally found in both the terrestrial and aquatic eco-system. The pattern of distribution of animal in mangrove eco-system is influenced by the substratum, salinity, tidal amplitude, vegetation, light and temperature.

The mangrove eco-system is very fragile and has been badly influenced by the ecological imbalance. As a result of that some animals of mangrove eco-system have become endangered.

As area of 100 acres has been identified at Jharkhali, South 24 Parganas District in Sundarban Biosphere Reserve in India to develop as Sundarban Wild Animals Park with the objective of conservation of rich bio-diversity of the region, breeding of endangered species, scientific research and to develop empathy amongst the visitors towards the conservation of the eco-system, and scientific research.

The salient features of the Park is displaying the bio-diversity of Sundarban mangrove eco-system and displaying animals in their natural environment. All enclosures are as per the guidelines of Central Zoo Authority (CZA) considering the welfare of the animals in their natural habitats of estuarine - mangrove eco-system. The visitors can view the animals from the Open Air Interpretation unit at different point of Canopy walk in front of each enclosure within the park). The theme of display is taxonomical. Enclosures of species belonging to the mangrove forest specially Spotted Deer, Royal Bengal Tiger, Estuarine Crocodile, Birds, Fishing Cat, River Terrapin, Otter, etc. will also be developed. Sundarban Wild Animals Park is one and only Mangrove Zoo of its kind in the World.